Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Fees and Programs

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute fees for international students are approximately $76,000 per year, which includes $58,000 in tuition and about $18,000 for living expenses. At the current exchange rate (1 USD = 82.5 INR), this translates to around ₹62,70,000 annually for Indian students.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a prestigious private research university located in Troy, New York, with additional campuses in Hartford and Groton, Connecticut. Founded in 1824 by Stephen van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton, it holds the distinction of being the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and the Western Hemisphere.

RPI has a strong academic reputation, particularly in STEM fields. According to the latest U.S. News rankings, its Engineering program is ranked #42, while its Computer Science program is ranked #59 nationally. Many American colleges and departments of applied sciences have been modeled after Rensselaer, underscoring its influence in the field of higher education.

For students seeking a solid foundation in science and engineering, RPI offers both historical prestige and cutting-edge academic programs, albeit at a significant financial investment.

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Know in detail about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s popular programs

• BS In Industrial & Management Engineering
• BS In Biotechnology & Health Economics
• Business Administration
• PhD In Chemical & Biological Engineering
• MSBA In Business Analytics
• MS In Quantitative Finance & Risk Analytics
• MS/MEng In Biomedical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Acceptance Rate

• RPI is moderately selective, with recent acceptance rates around 58–63%:

  • PrepScholar and other admissions sources report ≈ 58.5% 

  • College Board’s BigFuture lists 63%, based on about 17,193 apps and 10,906 admits 

  • A Reddit thread confirms a rise to ~60%, though it notes past lows near 41% .

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Eligibility Criteria

Competitive applicants typically meet the following benchmarks:

• High School GPA: Average admitted GPA is around 3.89 (weighted).

• Coursework: Strong preparation in advanced STEM—AP, IB, honors—and rigorous high school curriculum

• Standardized Tests (optional for Fall 2026 admissions):

  • SAT mid‑50% range: 1370–1490, average around 1428 

  • ACT mid‑50% range: 31–34, average around 32 

  • RPI uses superscoring and test-optional policies; no advantage/disadvantage for opting out 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Admission Requirements

• Application via Common, Coalition, or Candidate’s Choice App.

• Official high school transcript, plus any dual-enrollment records 

• Recommendation Letter: at least one, preferably from a math or science teacher or counselor 

• Personal essay on main application + program-specific essays for certain majors (e.g., Architecture, Electronic Arts, Physician-Scientist B.S./M.D.)

• Test-optional: choose to submit SAT/ACT scores or not; no impact on admissions or merit aid consideration

• Application Fee: $70; waivers available 

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