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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private campus in Troy proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — 7.2% of its 5,714 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$21,009
family income
under $30k
$24,670
$30–48k
$25,624
$48–75k
$33,615
$75–110k
$39,583
over $110k

Average net price

$36,2282023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$28k$30k$32k$34k$36k200820232008: $28,3802009: $31,6002010: $30,8772011: $33,5102012: $32,9862013: $33,5952014: $34,8412015: $33,6292016: $34,8392017: $36,1592018: $35,4642019: $33,9372020: $31,4562021: $34,3992022: $33,1392023: $36,228$36,228
$28k$30k$33k$35k200820232008: $28,3802009: $31,6002010: $30,8772011: $33,5102012: $32,9862013: $33,5952014: $34,8412015: $33,6292016: $34,8392017: $36,1592018: $35,4642019: $33,9372020: $31,4562021: $34,3992022: $33,1392023: $36,228$36,228

Average net price at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rose from $28,380 (2008) to $36,228 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$28,380
2009$31,600
2010$30,877
2011$33,510
2012$32,986
2013$33,595
2014$34,841
2015$33,629
2016$34,839
2017$36,159
2018$35,464
2019$33,937
2020$31,456
2021$34,399
2022$33,139
2023$36,228
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$82,4042024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$50k$60k$70k$80k200920242009: $50,5352010: $52,1602011: $54,0352012: $57,1792013: $59,4702014: $61,8202015: $64,1982016: $66,1722017: $68,2442018: $70,1322019: $71,9982020: $73,8162021: $75,8242022: $77,7632023: $79,9342024: $82,404$82,404
$50k$60k$70k$80k200920242009: $50,5352010: $52,1602011: $54,0352012: $57,1792013: $59,4702014: $61,8202015: $64,1982016: $66,1722017: $68,2442018: $70,1322019: $71,9982020: $73,8162021: $75,8242022: $77,7632023: $79,9342024: $82,404$82,404

Total cost at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rose from $50,535 (2009) to $82,404 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$50,535
2010$52,160
2011$54,035
2012$57,179
2013$59,470
2014$61,820
2015$64,198
2016$66,172
2017$68,244
2018$70,132
2019$71,998
2020$73,816
2021$75,824
2022$77,763
2023$79,934
2024$82,404
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$30k$40k$50k$60k200120232001: $25,5552002: $27,1702003: $28,4962004: $29,7862005: $31,8572006: $33,4962007: $35,8782008: $37,9902013: $46,2692014: $47,9082015: $49,3412016: $50,7972017: $52,3052018: $53,8802019: $55,3782020: $57,0122021: $58,5262022: $60,0742023: $61,884$61,884
$40k$60k200120232001: $25,5552002: $27,1702003: $28,4962004: $29,7862005: $31,8572006: $33,4962007: $35,8782008: $37,9902013: $46,2692014: $47,9082015: $49,3412016: $50,7972017: $52,3052018: $53,8802019: $55,3782020: $57,0122021: $58,5262022: $60,0742023: $61,884$61,884

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2001$25,555
2002$27,170
2003$28,496
2004$29,786
2005$31,857
2006$33,496
2007$35,878
2008$37,990
2013$46,269
2014$47,908
2015$49,341
2016$50,797
2017$52,305
2018$53,880
2019$55,378
2020$57,012
2021$58,526
2022$60,074
2023$61,884
IPEDS Published price 2001–02 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports published tuition of $64,081 in this record. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's $64,081 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports 5,714 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

83.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
83.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

70%75%80%85%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 70.2%entered 1992: 70.3%entered 1993: 73.2%entered 1994: 75.4%entered 1995: 77.1%entered 1996: 78.2%entered 1997: 80.5%entered 1998: 80.7%entered 1999: 81.3%entered 2000: 82.2%entered 2001: 82.2%entered 2002: 82.5%entered 2003: 82.3%entered 2004: 82.3%entered 2005: 83.8%entered 2006: 84.5%entered 2007: 84.9%entered 2008: 82.1%entered 2009: 81.2%entered 2010: 83%entered 2011: 83.4%entered 2012: 86.2%entered 2013: 84.7%entered 2014: 86.9%entered 2015: 84.2%entered 2016: 83.8%entered 2017: 83.2%entered 2018: 83.6%83.6%
70%75%80%85%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 70.2%entered 1992: 70.3%entered 1993: 73.2%entered 1994: 75.4%entered 1995: 77.1%entered 1996: 78.2%entered 1997: 80.5%entered 1998: 80.7%entered 1999: 81.3%entered 2000: 82.2%entered 2001: 82.2%entered 2002: 82.5%entered 2003: 82.3%entered 2004: 82.3%entered 2005: 83.8%entered 2006: 84.5%entered 2007: 84.9%entered 2008: 82.1%entered 2009: 81.2%entered 2010: 83%entered 2011: 83.4%entered 2012: 86.2%entered 2013: 84.7%entered 2014: 86.9%entered 2015: 84.2%entered 2016: 83.8%entered 2017: 83.2%entered 2018: 83.6%83.6%

The six-year graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rose from 70.2% (entered 1991) to 83.6% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort70.2%
1992 cohort70.3%
1993 cohort73.2%
1994 cohort75.4%
1995 cohort77.1%
1996 cohort78.2%
1997 cohort80.5%
1998 cohort80.7%
1999 cohort81.3%
2000 cohort82.2%
2001 cohort82.2%
2002 cohort82.5%
2003 cohort82.3%
2004 cohort82.3%
2005 cohort83.8%
2006 cohort84.5%
2007 cohort84.9%
2008 cohort82.1%
2009 cohort81.2%
2010 cohort83%
2011 cohort83.4%
2012 cohort86.2%
2013 cohort84.7%
2014 cohort86.9%
2015 cohort84.2%
2016 cohort83.8%
2017 cohort83.2%
2018 cohort83.6%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$10k$20k$30kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,125Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $27,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $27,509Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $27,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $27,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $29,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $24,194Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,750$23,750 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $13,542Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $8,382Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $9,001Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $8,688Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,915Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $10,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $10,313$10,313 left
$10k$20k$30kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,125Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $27,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $27,509Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $27,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $27,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $29,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $24,194Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,750$23,750 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $13,750Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $13,542Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $8,382Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $9,001Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $8,688Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,915Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $10,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $10,313$10,313 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)—$14,375
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$17,125$13,750
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$17,125$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$17,125$11,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$17,125$11,750
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$17,125$13,542
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$17,125$11,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$17,125$7,125
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$19,500$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$22,125$8,382
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$25,000$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$27,000$9,001
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$27,509$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$27,500$8,688
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$27,500$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$29,000$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$25,500$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$25,000$8,915
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$24,194$10,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$23,750$10,313
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$83,054
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$95,369
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$102,051
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admitted 10,901 of 17,175 applicants in Fall 2024. The 63.5% rate describes that application pool.

63.5%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$61,884 tuition · 2023–245,714 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1375–15101600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 670–740 and Math was 705–770 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1375–1510 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing670710740
SAT Math705740770
ACT Composite303334

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute received 17,175 applications and admitted 10,901 (63.5%), with 1,314 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

63.5%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

40%60%80%200120242001: 67.6%2002: 70%2003: 80.3%2004: 74.6%2005: 77.9%2006: 66.5%2007: 49.4%2008: 44.1%2009: 42.3%2010: 40%2011: 39.6%2012: 43.6%2013: 41.2%2014: 37.5%2015: 41.9%2016: 44.4%2017: 43.2%2018: 43%2019: 47.4%2020: 57.3%2021: 53%2022: 64.5%2023: 58.5%2024: 63.5%63.5%
40%60%80%200120242001: 67.6%2002: 70%2003: 80.3%2004: 74.6%2005: 77.9%2006: 66.5%2007: 49.4%2008: 44.1%2009: 42.3%2010: 40%2011: 39.6%2012: 43.6%2013: 41.2%2014: 37.5%2015: 41.9%2016: 44.4%2017: 43.2%2018: 43%2019: 47.4%2020: 57.3%2021: 53%2022: 64.5%2023: 58.5%2024: 63.5%63.5%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200167.6%
Fall 200270%
Fall 200380.3%
Fall 200474.6%
Fall 200577.9%
Fall 200666.5%
Fall 200749.4%
Fall 200844.1%
Fall 200942.3%
Fall 201040%
Fall 201139.6%
Fall 201243.6%
Fall 201341.2%
Fall 201437.5%
Fall 201541.9%
Fall 201644.4%
Fall 201743.2%
Fall 201843%
Fall 201947.4%
Fall 202057.3%
Fall 202153%
Fall 202264.5%
Fall 202358.5%
Fall 202463.5%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1375–1510Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA12001300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12302002: 12202003: 12202004: 12202005: 12202006: 12202007: 12502008: 12502009: 12702010: 12802011: 12802012: 12702013: 12902014: 13002015: 12802016: 12802017: 13202018: 13302019: 12902020: 13002021: 13602022: 13602023: 13302024: 137513752001: 14002002: 14002003: 14002004: 14202005: 14202006: 14202007: 14202008: 14202009: 14502010: 14502011: 14702012: 14602013: 14882014: 14902015: 14902016: 14802017: 15002018: 15002019: 14902020: 15002021: 15202022: 15202023: 15002024: 15101510
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA12001300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12302002: 12202003: 12202004: 12202005: 12202006: 12202007: 12502008: 12502009: 12702010: 12802011: 12802012: 12702013: 12902014: 13002015: 12802016: 12802017: 13202018: 13302019: 12902020: 13002021: 13602022: 13602023: 13302024: 137513752001: 14002002: 14002003: 14002004: 14202005: 14202006: 14202007: 14202008: 14202009: 14502010: 14502011: 14702012: 14602013: 14882014: 14902015: 14902016: 14802017: 15002018: 15002019: 14902020: 15002021: 15202022: 15202023: 15002024: 15101510

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200112301400
Fall 200212201400
Fall 200312201400
Fall 200412201420
Fall 200512201420
Fall 200612201420
Fall 200712501420
Fall 200812501420
Fall 200912701450
Fall 201012801450
Fall 201112801470
Fall 201212701460
Fall 201312901488
Fall 201413001490
Fall 201512801490
Fall 201612801480
Fall 201713201500
Fall 201813301500
Fall 201912901490
Fall 202013001500
Fall 202113601520
Fall 202213601520
Fall 202313301500
Fall 202413751510
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

30–34Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 242002: 242004: 242005: 242006: 252007: 252008: 242009: 252010: 262011: 262012: 262013: 272014: 272015: 282016: 282017: 282018: 292019: 282020: 292021: 322022: 302023: 302024: 30302001: 282002: 282004: 282005: 282006: 292007: 292008: 292009: 302010: 302011: 302012: 312013: 312014: 322015: 322016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 342020: 342021: 342022: 342023: 342024: 3434
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 242002: 242004: 242005: 242006: 252007: 252008: 242009: 252010: 262011: 262012: 262013: 272014: 272015: 282016: 282017: 282018: 292019: 282020: 292021: 322022: 302023: 302024: 30302001: 282002: 282004: 282005: 282006: 292007: 292008: 292009: 302010: 302011: 302012: 312013: 312014: 322015: 322016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 342020: 342021: 342022: 342023: 342024: 3434

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012428
Fall 20022428
Fall 20042428
Fall 20052428
Fall 20062529
Fall 20072529
Fall 20082429
Fall 20092530
Fall 20102630
Fall 20112630
Fall 20122631
Fall 20132731
Fall 20142732
Fall 20152832
Fall 20162832
Fall 20172832
Fall 20182933
Fall 20192834
Fall 20202934
Fall 20213234
Fall 20223034
Fall 20233034
Fall 20243034
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

5,714Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

5k6k6k7k200220242002: 5,1362003: 5,1642004: 4,8892005: 4,9212006: 5,1482007: 5,1192008: 5,3672009: 5,5392010: 5,3482011: 5,2402012: 5,3002013: 5,3792014: 5,5572015: 5,7812016: 6,2002017: 6,3142018: 6,5902019: 6,2032020: 6,2652021: 5,5792022: 5,8862023: 5,9092024: 5,7145,714
5k6k6k7k200220242002: 5,1362003: 5,1642004: 4,8892005: 4,9212006: 5,1482007: 5,1192008: 5,3672009: 5,5392010: 5,3482011: 5,2402012: 5,3002013: 5,3792014: 5,5572015: 5,7812016: 6,2002017: 6,3142018: 6,5902019: 6,2032020: 6,2652021: 5,5792022: 5,8862023: 5,9092024: 5,7145,714

Undergraduate enrollment at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rose from 5,136 (Fall 2002) to 5,714 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20025,136
Fall 20035,164
Fall 20044,889
Fall 20054,921
Fall 20065,148
Fall 20075,119
Fall 20085,367
Fall 20095,539
Fall 20105,348
Fall 20115,240
Fall 20125,300
Fall 20135,379
Fall 20145,557
Fall 20155,781
Fall 20166,200
Fall 20176,314
Fall 20186,590
Fall 20196,203
Fall 20206,265
Fall 20215,579
Fall 20225,886
Fall 20235,909
Fall 20245,714
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

91%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

90%92%94%200220232002: 93%2003: 91%2004: 92%2005: 93%2006: 92%2007: 95%2008: 91%2009: 91%2010: 93%2011: 94%2012: 94%2013: 93%2014: 94%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 92%2018: 92%2019: 91%2020: 89%2021: 89%2022: 89%2023: 91%91%
90%92%94%200220232002: 93%2003: 91%2004: 92%2005: 93%2006: 92%2007: 95%2008: 91%2009: 91%2010: 93%2011: 94%2012: 94%2013: 93%2014: 94%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 92%2018: 92%2019: 91%2020: 89%2021: 89%2022: 89%2023: 91%91%

First-year retention at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has held near 91% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort93%
Fall 2003 cohort91%
Fall 2004 cohort92%
Fall 2005 cohort93%
Fall 2006 cohort92%
Fall 2007 cohort95%
Fall 2008 cohort91%
Fall 2009 cohort91%
Fall 2010 cohort93%
Fall 2011 cohort94%
Fall 2012 cohort94%
Fall 2013 cohort93%
Fall 2014 cohort94%
Fall 2015 cohort93%
Fall 2016 cohort93%
Fall 2017 cohort92%
Fall 2018 cohort92%
Fall 2019 cohort91%
Fall 2020 cohort89%
Fall 2021 cohort89%
Fall 2022 cohort89%
Fall 2023 cohort91%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Faculty pay at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute averages $165,840 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a primarily residential campus of 5,714 undergraduates — and 90.7% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's SAT section-percentile sums are 1375–1510 — their midpoint is above the NY four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute63.5%
New York median70.1%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute$64,081
New York median$17,408
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute$102,051
New York median$60,236
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York and national reference values
Metric & basisRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNew York medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS63.5%70.1%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$64,081$17,408$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$102,051$60,236$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 18 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science$141,528
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians$125,531
Computer and Information Sciences, General$115,100
Mathematics$105,768
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$104,596
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$103,306
Business Administration, Management and Operations$99,713
Chemical Engineering$98,679
Industrial Engineering$98,509
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$94,750
Mechanical Engineering$92,952
Design and Applied Arts$87,358
Nuclear Engineering$87,239
Civil Engineering$86,794
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$83,958
Materials Engineering$82,947
Physics$81,840
Architecture$75,551

These 18 fields listed for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute measure earnings after completion. The $102,051 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 27 additional Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1375–1510 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate?

63.5% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 10,901 admitted from 17,175 applicants.

How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost?

At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, tuition is $64,081. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $102,051. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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