Top Tech / STEM · Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Calculate your RPI oddsQuick Facts
| Acceptance rate | — |
| Type | Private · Top Tech / STEM |
| Setting | Campus setting |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is among the most selective institutions in the country. The application is read holistically. Test scores and GPA establish baseline academic credibility but rarely drive the final decision. The rest of the application (activities, recommendations, and especially essays) reveals who you are and what you would add to the community.
Personalized estimate
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Run the calculatorBeyond the Numbers
RPI is best known for the oldest tech school in the English-speaking world, strong engineering and computer science, and a Troy, NY campus. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
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RPI vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Tech / STEM schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPI This page | — | — | — |
| MIT | 4.5% | 1530–1580 | $20,111 |
| Caltech | 2.6% | — | $16,075 |
| CMU | 11.2% | 1500–1560 | $31,944 |
| Harvey Mudd | 12.7% | 1500–1570 | $35,924 |
| Georgia Tech | 14.1% | 1370–1540 | $12,116 |
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with RPI's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- RPI Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect RPI's most recent publicly published admit cycle.