About

University Type

Private

University Type

US News National rank

60

US News National rank

Average Living Expenses

$83,393

Average Living Expenses

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a private research university located in Troy, New York. It was founded in 1824 and is the oldest technological university in the United States. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a student body of over 5,600 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students. 

What is the acceptance rate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

The acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 65%. The student-to-faculty ratio at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 13:1. This means that there are about 13 students for every faculty member. The average tuition fees for international students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are $60,051 per year.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is ranked #51 in the U.S. News & World Report Best National Universities 2022-2023 edition. It is also ranked #201–250 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.

Top Reasons to Study in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Strong academic reputation: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is ranked #1 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Undergraduate Engineering Schools 2022-2023 edition.
  • Interdisciplinary research: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is known for its interdisciplinary research, and it is home to over 100 research centres and institutes.
  • Hands-on learning: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students have the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning through the university's many research projects and co-op programs.
  • Diverse student body: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a diverse student body with students from all over the world.
  • Beautiful campus: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus is located in Troy, New York, and is known for its beauty. The campus is home to over 296 acres of land, including the Troy Waterfront Park.
  • Vibrant campus life: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a vibrant campus life, with something going on all the time. There are concerts, sporting events, and other activities happening all year round.

Courses

Cost of Studying at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Average tuition fee

High-end

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5000+ Students

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3000+ Cr

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100% Free

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Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$82,404

Average living expenses (Masters)

$83,393

Admissions at The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

53%

Application Fee

$70 - $75


How to Apply at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Visit the RPI website and create an account. 
  • Complete the online application.
  • Submit your high school transcript.
  • Submit all the applicable test scores from your specific program.
  • Submit an application essay (optional).
  • Pay the application fee - $75

Documents Required to Apply to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Application: You can apply online or by mail. The application fee is $75 for international students.
  • Official transcripts: You must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges you have attended. Transcripts must be translated into English if they are not originally in English.
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores: The minimum TOEFL score is 90 iBT or 610 PBT. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
  • Proof of English language proficiency: If you have completed an English-medium program of study, you may be exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement.
  • Letters of recommendation: You should submit two letters of recommendation from academic references.
  • Personal statement: You should submit a personal statement that discusses your academic and personal goals.
  • Financial documentation: You will need to provide documentation of your financial resources. This may include bank statements, tax returns, or letters from sponsors.
  • Optional: SAT or ACT scores, resume, portfolio, or other materials.

Exams Accepted By Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • TOEFL: The minimum TOEFL score is 90 iBT or 610 PBT.
  • IELTS: The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
  • Duolingo: The minimum Duolingo score is 115.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: The minimum PTE Academic score is 59.
  • Cambridge English: The minimum Cambridge English score is C1 Advanced.

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Rankings for The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

US News Ranking

#60

US News National rank

The World University Rankings

#401-500

The World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings

#601-610

QS World University Rankings


More rankings for this university

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Students Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

256

Yocketers applied

152

Yocketers admitted

2,763

Yocketers interested


Premium Yocketer profiles

Sam Dha

Sam Dha

Business Analytics

Fall 2024

Nayan Bhiwapurkar

Nayan Bhiwapurkar

Information Technology

Fall 2023

Neel Ved

Neel Ved

Shortlisted

Mechanical Engineering

Fall 2025

Siddharth Kumar

Siddharth Kumar

Shortlisted

Quantitative Finance and Risk Analytics

Spring 2025


Alumni at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Some notable alumni of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute include:

  • Katherine Johnson: NASA mathematician who calculated the trajectories for the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
  • Jonas Salk: Virologist who developed the polio vaccine.
  • Theodore Vail: Former CEO of AT&T and one of the pioneers of the telecommunications industry.
  • Stephen Schwarzman: CEO of Blackstone Group and one of the richest people in the world.
  • Amos Eaton: Co-founder of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and one of the pioneers of the American engineering education system.

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Related Discussion for the Universities

Ask, post and discuss!

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Sampoorna Mazumdar
Sampoorna Mazumdar

6 months ago

Join RPI for MSIT for Fall 2024
Anyone planning to join RPI for MSIT program for Fall 2024 by self funding
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Foram Shah
Foram Shah

2 years ago

RPI, Russell Sage (Troy)
Has anyone been admitted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Russell Sage College in Troy for Fall 2023?
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Akshat Runwal
Akshat Runwal

3 years ago

Regarding Master's at RPI (Fall 2022)
Any WhatsApp group/admit for RPI MSIT fall 2022?
I would like to connect with people joining RPI this Fall. #masters #ms
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Mukesh Mohanty
Mukesh Mohanty

4 years ago

Anyone for the fall 2020 travelling to RPI Troy for MSIT program?? Discussion about VISA/I20 travel,
Anyone for the fall 2020 travelling to RPI Troy for MSIT program?? Discussion about VISA/I20 travel, room and expenses per month..
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Jithmi A
Jithmi A

5 years ago

I’m looking for a female roommate at RPI. If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out.
I’m looking for a female roommate at RPI. If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out.
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Reviews for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Campus life

Number of campuses the university has
1

Campus locations
New York

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Transportation in the city

  • Rensselaer Shuttle: The Rensselaer Shuttle is a free bus service that provides transportation around the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus and to downtown Troy. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening.
  • CDPHP Cycle!: The CDPHP Cycle! bike-share program provides residents and visitors with an alternative form of transportation that supports healthy, active lifestyles while also offering a fun and easy way to explore our communities.
  • Walking: Walking is a great way to get around the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus. The campus is relatively small, and it is easy to walk from one destination to another.
  • Biking: Biking is a great way to get around the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus and downtown Troy. There are many bike lanes and trails in the area, and the weather is generally mild year-round. You can bring your bike to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or you can rent one from a local bike shop.
  • Taxi: Taxis are available in Troy, but they can be expensive.
  • Uber: Uber is a popular ride-sharing service in Troy. It is a more affordable option than taxis.

Services offered by the university

  • Academic Advising: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Office of Academic Advising provides students with individual advising, group advising, and workshops on academic planning.
  • Career Services: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Career Services office helps students with resume writing, job search skills, and interviewing techniques. They also have a job board and career fairs.
  • Financial Aid: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Financial Aid office helps students with applying for financial aid, understanding financial aid packages, and managing their finances.
  • Student Health Services: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Student Health Services office provides students with medical, dental, and mental health services. They also have a pharmacy and a counselling centre.
  • Housing and Residential Life: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Housing and Residential Life office provides housing options for students, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and suite-style apartments. They also offer a variety of programs and activities for residents.
  • Student Activities: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Student Activities office coordinates a variety of student activities, including clubs, organizations, intramural sports, and cultural events.
  • Athletics: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a member of the NCAA Division III and competes in the Liberty League. The university offers 23 varsity sports for men and 21 for women.

Student life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Student population: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a student body of over 7,000 undergraduate students and over 2,000 graduate students. The student body is made up of students from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
  • Volunteering: There are many opportunities to volunteer your time at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The university has a variety of volunteer opportunities, including working with local organizations, tutoring students, and participating in service-learning projects.
  • Percentage of international students: 15% of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students are international students.
  • Number of student organizations: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has over 300 student organizations. These organizations cover a wide range of interests, including academics, athletics, arts, culture, and social justice.
  • Intramural sports: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers over 30 intramural sports. Intramural sports are a great way to stay active and meet new people.
  • Greek life: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has over 20 fraternities and sororities.
  • Student government: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a student government that is made up of students from all over campus. The student government is responsible for representing student interests to the university administration.

On campus accomodation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Traditional residence halls, apartments, and suite-style apartments are the on-campus housing options available to students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

  • Traditional residence halls: They offer shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and they are typically located on campus.
  • Apartments: They offer more privacy than traditional residence halls, and they typically have their bedrooms and bathrooms. Apartments are located on or near the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
  • Suite-style apartments: They offer a combination of traditional residence halls and apartment-style living to students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They typically have shared bedrooms and bathrooms, but they also have a common living area and kitchen. Suite-style apartments are located on or near the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The average cost of on-campus housing at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $12,000 per year.

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