Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is a private, technical institution. It educates the leaders of tomorrow's technologically based companies. Programs are offered through the Schools of Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, and Science. The education takes place in state-of-the-art classrooms with revitalized undergraduate curricula that have won three prestigious awards in the last two years. Hands-on undergraduate research and team-based projects are the hallmark of an exciting and rigorous curriculum. Campus life beyond the classroom includes 23 NCAA sports and over 130 clubs and governmental activities. Its 260-acre campus is located in Troy, 15 miles from Albany.

Website: www.rpi.edu/

Private
Co-ed
6,366
Undergraduate
Students
(32.1%) 2,041 Women
(67.9%) 4,325 Men
1,267
Graduate
Students

Admission

Entrance Difficulty
Very difficult
Overall Admission Rate
43% of 19,505 applicants were admitted
Early Action Offered
No
Early Decision Offered
Yes
Regular Admission Deadline
January 15

Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen

Average GPA
3.78
SAT Math
680-770 range of middle 50%
SAT EBRW
677 average
640-730 range of middle 50%
ACT Composite
30 average
28-32 range of middle 50%
See more

Money Matters

Cost of Attendance
$71,998
Tuition and Fees
$53,880
Room and Board
$15,260
Average Percent of Need Met
82%
Average Freshman Award
$42,575
Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
$34,595
See more

Academics

Academic Calendar System
Semester
General Education/Core Curriculum
Required for most or all students
Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
467
Regular Class Size
2-9 students: 23% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 16% of classes
30-39 students: 12% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 10% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes
See more

Campus Life

Troy Population
49,974
Nearest Metropolitan Area
Albany, NY
Freshman Housing Guarantee
Freshmen are guaranteed housing
Students in College Housing
57% of all students
Athletic Conferences
NCAA Division III
Mascot
Red Hawk
Sororities
16% of women participate
Fraternities
21% of men participate
See more

Students

Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
13.7% Asian
4.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
7.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
61.8% White
1.6% Unknown
International Students
13.6% from 39 countries
First-Year Students Returning
93.0%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
61.0%
Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
63%
Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
24.0%
See more

Freshman Admission Requirements

Entrance Difficulty

Very Difficult: More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.

High School Preparation

High School Graduation
High school diploma required and GED is accepted
High School Program
College preparatory program is required

High School Units Required or Recommended

High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject Required Units Recommended Units
English 4  
Mathematics 4  
Science 3 4
Foreign Language    
Social Studies 2 3
History    
Academic Electives    

Examinations

Examinations
Exam Required Units Scores Due in Admissions Office
SAT or ACT Required December 31
SAT Only    
ACT Only    
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT Required for some December 31
SAT Subject Tests Only Considered if submitted
SAT Essay Component Policy Accepted with or without essay component
ACT Writing Test Policy Accepted with or without writing component
ACT Writing Test Policy SAT: Used for admission
ACT: Used for admission

Applying for Admission

Admissions Office

Address
110 8th Street
City, State, Zip
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Phone
(518) 276-6216
Fax
(518) 276-4072
E-mail
admissions@rpi.edu

Application Dates and Fees

Regular Admisson Deadline
January 15
Application Fee
$70
Application Fee Waiver
Available
Regular Admission Notification
March 12
Accept Offer of Admission
May 1
Waiting List Used
Yes
Defer Admission
Student can defer admission
Transfer Admission
Transfer applications accepted

Early Admission

Early Decision Offered
Yes
Early Decision Deadline
November 1, December 15
Early Decision Notification
December 10, January 14
Early Action Offered
No
Early Action Deadline
 
Early Action Notification
 

Application Form

Common Application
Accepted, supplemental forms required
Universal College Application
Not accepted
Electronic Application
Available

Other Application Requirements

Interview
Not Required
Essay or Personal Statement
Required for some freshmen
Letters of Recommendation
1 recommended for all freshmen
Other
Portfolio for electronic arts recommended for some freshmen
Financial Need
Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process

Selection of Students

Selection of Students
Factor Very Important Important Considered Not Considered
Rigor of Secondary School Record X
Academic GPA X
Standardized Tests X
Class Rank X
Recommendations X
Essay X
Interview X
Level of Applicant's Interest X
Extracurricular Activities X
Volunteer Work X
Particular Talent/Ability X
Character/Personal Qualities X
First Generation to Attend College X
State Residency X
Geographic Residence X
Relation with Alumnus X
Religious Affiliation/Commitment X
Ethnicity X
Work Experience X

Profile of Fall Admission

Overall Admission Rate
43% of 19,505 applicants were admitted
Women
47% of 6,030 applicants were admitted
Men
42% of 13,475 applicants were admitted
Students Enrolled
1,663 (20%) of 8,420 admitted students enrolled
Women
499 (18%) of 2,816 admitted students enrolled
Men
1,164 (21%) of 5,604 admitted students enrolled
Early Decision Admission Rate
57% of 903 applicants were admitted
Early Action Admission Rate
 
Students Offered Wait List
4,803
Students Accepting Wait List Position
2,662
Students Admitted From Wait List
22

Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)

Average GPA
3.78
3.75 and Above
66%
3.50 - 3.74
23%
3.25 - 3.49
7%
3.00 - 3.24
3%
2.50 - 2.99
1%
2.00 - 2.49
 

SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen

SAT Math
680-770 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800
69%
Score of 600 - 700
28%
Score of 500 - 600
3%
Score of 400 - 500
0%
Score of 300 - 400
0%
Score of 200 - 300
0%
SAT EBRW
677 average
640-730 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800
43%
Score of 600 - 700
47%
Score of 500 - 600
10%
Score of 400 - 500
0%
Score of 300 - 400
0%
Score of 200 - 300
0%

ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen

ACT Composite
30 average
28-32 range of middle 50%
Score of 30 - 36
53%
Score of 24 - 29
43%
Score of 18 - 23
4%
Score of 12 - 17
0%
Score of 6 - 11
0%
Score of 5 or Below
0%

Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen

High School Class Rank
Top tenth: 63%
Top quarter: 91%
Top half: 98%
National Merit Scholar
2%
Valedictorian
3%
Class President
Not reported
Student Government Officer
Not reported

Tuition and Expenses

Cost of Attendance
$71,998
Tuition and Fees
$53,880
Room and Board
$15,260
Books and Supplies
$2,858
Other Expenses
Not reported
Payment Plans
Installment plan

Applying for Financial Aid

Financial Aid Office

Email
admissions@rpi.edu
Web Site
Financial Aid Web Site
Net Price Calculator URL
Net Price Calculator URL

Application Process

Application Deadline
Priority deadline February 1
Award Notification
On or about March 15
Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required Cost to File
FAFSA
Code is 002803		 Free
CSS/Financial Aid Profile $25 for first college, $16 each additional

Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid

Freshman

Financial Aid Applicants
1,310 (73.9%) of freshmen
Found to Have Financial Need
1,040 (80.6%) of applicants
Received Financial Aid
1,040 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
Need Fully Met
221 (22.0%) of aid recipients
Average Percent of Need Met
82%
Average Award
$42,575
Need-Based Gift
Received by 1,040 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $38,861
Need-Based Self-Help
Received by 1,031 (99.4%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,622
Merit-Based Gift
Received by 192 (18.5%) of aid recipients
Merit-Based Gift
452 (22.0%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $21,836

All Undergraduates

Financial Aid Applicants
4,331 (65.7%) of undergraduates
Found to Have Financial Need
3,787 (87.4%) of applicants
Received Financial Aid
3,787 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
Need Fully Met
607 (17.4%) of aid recipients
Average Percent of Need Met
78%
Average Award
$41,327
Need-Based Gift
Received by 3,787 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $37,236
Need-Based Self-Help
Received by 3,684 (97.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,377
Merit-Based Gift
Received by 444 (11.8%) of aid recipients
Merit-Based Gift
1,751 (26.4%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $20,389

Borrowing

2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
63%
Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
$34,595
Parents of Students Receiving Aid
Not reported
Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
Not reported

Financial Aid Programs

Loans

Federal Loans
Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
State Loans
 
Other Loans
College/university loans

Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Available
Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships, Academic Competitiveness Grants, National SMART Grants, Gates Millennium Scholarships
Non-Need–Based Available
None

Non-Need Awards

Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
Humanities, Mathematics, Military Science
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
Not reported
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
Not reported
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 
Special Characteristics Award Areas
Children and Siblings of Alumni, Children of Faculty/Staff, Ethnic Background, Members of Minorities
Number of Awards
Not reported
Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
 

Employment

Work-Study Programs
Federal work study available
Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
$1,989
Academic Calendar System
Semester
Summer Session
Offered
General Catalog/Bulletin
Online Catalog

Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate Majors

  • Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • Business Administration and Management, General
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry, General
  • Civil Engineering, General
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology
  • Design and Visual Communications, General
  • Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
  • Economics, General
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
  • Engineering Science
  • Engineering, General
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
  • Geology/Earth Science, General
  • Hydrology and Water Resources Science
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics, General
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Philosophy
  • Physics, General
  • Physics, Other
  • Pre-Law Studies
  • Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
  • Psychology, General
  • Science, Technology and Society
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
Most Popular Disciplines
Engineering, Computer and information sciences, Business/marketing, Mathematics and statistics, Engineering technologies
Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
Engineering
Special Programs
Accelerated program, Cooperative work study program, Student-designed major, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
Study Abroad
Offered
Online Degrees
Not reported

Curriculum and Graduation Requirements

General Education/Core Curriculum
Required for most or all students
Computer
Students required to own/lease a computer
Foreign Language
Not required
Math/Science
Required for all students

Faculty and Instruction

Full-Time Faculty
467
Part-Time Faculty
50
Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
85%
Regular Class Size
2-9 students: 23% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 16% of classes
30-39 students: 12% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 10% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes
Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
Not reported

Advanced Placement

International Baccalaureate
Accepted
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Accepted for placement and credit
Sophomore Standing
Available through AP examinations

Academic Resources

Library Available on Campus
Yes
Holdings
 
Computer Ownership
Students required to own/lease a computer
Computers Available on Campus
Not Reported
Internet/E-mail Access
Not reported

Academic Support Services

Remedial Instruction
Not Offered
Tutoring
Available
Services for Learning Disabled Students
Available
Services for Physically Disabled Students
Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access

Graduate/Professional School Education

Master's Degrees Offered

Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Architecture

Master's Programs of Study

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Architecture
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Physics
  • Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
  • History of Science and Technology
  • Industrial/Management Engineering
  • Lighting Design
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Technology and Public Policy

Doctoral Degrees Offered

Doctor of Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral Programs of Study

  • Art/Fine Arts
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Art and Design
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Physics
  • Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
  • History of Science and Technology
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Technology and Public Policy

Location and Setting

Troy Population
49,974
Nearest Metropolitan Area
Albany, NY
Campus Size
284 acres

Weather

Temperature
11 average low in January, 79 average high in September
Rain
171 rainy days per year

Getting Around

Campus Map
Map
Nearest Bus Station
15 mile(s) from campus in Albany
Nearest Train Station
6 mile(s) from campus in Rensselaer

Housing

College Housing
College offers housing to students
Types of Housing
Coed housing, disabled student housing
Students in College Housing
57% of all students
Housing Requirements
Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus
Freshman Housing Guarantee
Freshmen are guaranteed housing
Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
43%
Off-Campus Housing Assistance
Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available

Security

24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
Available
24-Hour Security Patrols
Available
Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
Available
Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
Available
Other
campus foot patrols at night

Personal Support Services

Health Service
Offered
Personal Counseling
Offered
Child Care
Not offered

Sports and Recreation

Intercollegiate Athletics

Athletic Conferences
NCAA Division III
Mascot
Red Hawk
School Colors
Cherry and white

Intercollegiate Sports Offered

Sports Women Men
Offered Scholarships Offered Scholarships
Baseball     x  
Basketball x   x  
Cross-Country Running x   x  
Field Hockey x      
Football     x  
Golf     x  
Ice Hockey x x x x
Lacrosse x   x  
Soccer x   x  
Softball x      
Swimming And Diving x   x  
Tennis x   x  
Track And Field x   x  
Women's Sports Offered Scholarships
Baseball    
Basketball x  
Cross-Country Running x  
Field Hockey x  
Football    
Golf    
Ice Hockey x x
Lacrosse x  
Soccer x  
Softball x  
Swimming And Diving x  
Tennis x  
Track And Field x  
Mens's Sports Offered Scholarships
Baseball x  
Basketball x  
Cross-Country Running x  
Field Hockey    
Football x  
Golf x  
Ice Hockey x x
Lacrosse x  
Soccer x  
Softball    
Swimming And Diving x  
Tennis x  
Track And Field x  
Women's Club Sports
archery, badminton, baseball, crew, equestrian sports, fencing, racquetball, riflery, rugby, sailing, skiing (cross-country), squash, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting
Men's Club Sports
archery, badminton, crew, equestrian sports, fencing, racquetball, riflery, rugby, sailing, skiing (cross-country), squash, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting

Recreational Sports

Intramural Sports
basketball, cheerleading, ice hockey, racquetball, skiing (downhill), soccer, softball, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, wrestling

Student Activities

Activities and Organizations
choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities, red army spirit club, outing club, indian student association, chinese american student association, pep band
Sororities
16% of women participate
Fraternities
21% of men participate
ROTC
Army ROTC offered on campus, Navy ROTC is offered on campus, Air Force ROTC offered on campus

Student Body

Coeducational
Yes
All Undergraduates
6,366
Women
2,041 (32.1%)
Men
4,325 (67.9%)
Full-Time Undergraduates
6,340
Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
13.7% Asian
4.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
7.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
61.8% White
1.6% Unknown
International Students.
13.6% from 39 countries
Average Age
20
All Graduate Students
1,267

Undergraduate Retention and Graduation

First-Year Students Returning
93.0%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
61.0%
Students Graduating Within 5 Years
81.2%
Students Graduating Within 6 Years
83.0%

After Graduation

Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
63%
Average Starting Salary
63%
Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
24.0%
Disciplines Pursued
Business 3%
Engineering 10%
Law 1%
Theology 1%
Arts and Sciences 4%
Medicine 2%
Education 1%
Other 2%

A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."