Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
A good fit for students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $86,000 within 10 years; strong 84% graduation rate.
About This School
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private nonprofit institution located in Troy, New York with approximately 5,714 undergraduate students enrolled. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 63%. The average net price after financial aid is $36,228 per year. The graduation rate is 84%, and the typical graduate earns $86,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research-university in Troy, New York, United States, is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and in the Western Hemisphere. Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton established RPI in 1824 for the "application of science to the common purposes of life".
This is a strong option for students serious about engineering, science, or tech, where a median salary of $86,000 ten years out and relatively modest debt of $22,000 at graduation suggest a solid return on investment. The 83% graduation rate and 89% freshman retention are respectable, and the 58% acceptance rate means it's selective without being a long shot for well-prepared applicants. The $33,000 average net price is real money, so run your financial aid numbers carefully — but the outcomes data suggests students who finish here tend to land well.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($125,531 vs $83,742 nationally), and most below it in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($94,750 vs $98,207).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 250 | $141,528 | $107,009 | +$34,519 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 162 | $92,952 | $92,135 | +$817 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 117 | $94,750 | $98,207 | −$3,457 |
| Mathematics | 75 | $105,768 | $69,562 | +$36,206 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 69 | $104,596 | $100,647 | +$3,949 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 65 | $103,306 | $93,451 | +$9,855 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 62 | $125,531 | $83,742 | +$41,789 |
| Chemical Engineering | 61 | $98,679 | $98,158 | +$521 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 58 | $99,713 | $68,257 | +$31,456 |
| Architecture | 56 | $75,551 | $66,914 | +$8,637 |
| Civil Engineering | 53 | $86,794 | $86,517 | +$277 |
| Physics | 42 | $81,840 | $76,786 | +$5,054 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,714 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in New York
Long Island University
Brookville, NY · Private nonprofit
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY · Private nonprofit
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY · Private nonprofit
Marist University
Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit
Mercy University
Dobbs Ferry, NY · Private nonprofit
See How Colleges Compare
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has an acceptance rate of 63%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hard to get into?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 63%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost?
The average net price at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is about $36,228 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a graduation rate of 84%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.