Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Perched above the Hudson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy blends tech-focused study with a studio-lab vibe. It's known for engineering, computing, architecture, and the physical sciences, with crossover into design and data. Students dive into projects in makerspaces and research labs, study in quiet stacks, and catch performances at EMPAC. Advising, tutoring, wellness care, and career services sit close by when the work gets intense.
Student life is energetic and hands on. Design teams, music and theater, outdoor trips, and rowdy hockey nights shape the week. And The Approach drops to a walkable downtown with cafes and internships around the Capital Region. Career prep leans on co-ops, faculty research, and a responsive alumni network. Notable alumni include Raymond Tomlinson, credited with early email.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers 54 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,782 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Engineering (14 programs, 770 graduates), Computer & IT (3 programs, 315 graduates), Business (7 programs, 210 graduates), Mathematics (3 programs, 92 graduates) and Physical Sciences (5 programs, 70 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Engineering (14 programs, 770 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 194 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 120 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0201 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 104 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 84 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Chemical Engineering | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Civil Engineering | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0801 |
| Systems Engineering | 29 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2701 |
| Materials Engineering | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1801 |
| Nuclear Engineering | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2301 |
| Industrial Engineering | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.3501 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1401 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 6 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
14.3601 |
| Engineering Science | 5 |
|
Master's
|
14.1301 |
| Transportation Engineering | 2 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0804 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 315 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 259 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Information Technology | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0103 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 9 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0102 |
Business (7 programs, 210 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 78 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0201 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 53 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1399 |
| Business Statistics | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1302 |
| Management Science | 27 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1301 |
| Organizational Leadership | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0213 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0203 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0701 |
Mathematics (3 programs, 92 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0101 |
| Financial Mathematics | 20 |
|
Master's
|
27.0305 |
| Applied Mathematics | 13 |
|
Master's
|
27.0301 |
Physical Sciences (5 programs, 70 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0801 |
| Chemistry | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0899 |
| Astronomy | 2 |
|
Master's
|
40.0201 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
Architecture (2 programs, 68 graduates)
Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 56 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
04.0201 |
| Architectural and Building Sciences | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
04.0902 |
Eng. Technologies (1 programs, 60 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Technology | 60 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15.1202 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 59 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0299 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Bioinformatics | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1103 |
Arts (3 programs, 56 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0411 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0101 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 31 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Science | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.2501 |
| Science, Technology, and Society | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.1501 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
| Sustainability Studies | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3301 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
How much does it cost to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)?
The annual tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is $61,884 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $82,404 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,530 and books and supplies $1,310.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offer?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers 54 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (14 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (3 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has an 58.4% acceptance rate and a 16.3% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 16,283
- Students admitted: 9,517
- Students enrolled: 1,552
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) provides financial aid to 34% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $43,994 and average loans of $8,839.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,420
- State/Local grants: $3,068
- Institutional grants: $41,926
- Federal loans: $5,174
The university supports 1,921 students with grants and 1,160 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) graduates earn a median salary of $83,054 after 6 years and $102,051 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $71,488 (25th percentile) to $137,023 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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