Getting in
For Fall 2025, 14,356 first-year students applied to RPI, 9,655 were admitted and 1,394 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 67.3%.
Source: RPI Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 4,319 | 2,917 | 67.5% |
| Out-of-state | 8,947 | 6,125 | 68.5% |
| International | 1,090 | 613 | 56.2% |
Source: RPI Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. RPI's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the institute, with no rate by school or major.
Source: RPI Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. RPI has two binding early decision rounds and a non-binding Early Action plan that does not limit where else you apply early. The Common Data Set gives one early decision count for both rounds together and no early action counts. Its line still says "Fall 2024 entering class", but the counts differ from the prior edition's, so they are shown as Fall 2025.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (I and II) | 317 | 219 | 69.1% |
Source: RPI Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to RPI with the Common App or the RPI Application. Two programs ask for more:
- Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program. Apply by November 1; decisions come in early April. Official SAT or ACT scores are required, and a writing supplement asks why you want a career in medicine.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Architecture (B.Arch.). A creative portfolio, sent within 10 days of the deadline for your application plan, and a writing supplement on why you chose architecture. No other major takes a portfolio.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
64 majors across 7 schools. Every bachelor's degree program in the Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, grouped by school, with the degree it leads to, plus the dual majors the catalog lists. Minors, pathways, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
School of Architecture1
- Architecture (B.Arch.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Degrees Offered (School of Architecture) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Engineering12
- Aeronautical Engineering (B.S.)
- Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
- Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
- Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
- Civil Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer and Systems Engineering (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
- Environmental Engineering (B.S.)
- Industrial and Management Engineering (B.S.)
- Materials Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Nuclear Engineering (B.S.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Degrees Offered (School of Engineering) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences11
- Cognitive Science (B.S.)
- Communication, Media, and Design (B.S.)
- Design, Innovation, and Society (B.S.)
- Economics (B.S.)
- Electronic Arts (B.S.)
- Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (B.S.)
- Music (B.S.)
- Philosophy (B.S.)
- Psychological Science (B.S.)
- Science, Technology, and Society (B.S.)
- Sustainability Studies (B.S.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Degrees Offered (School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Lally School of Management6
- Business Analytics (B.S.)
- Business and Management (B.S.)
- Finance, Markets, and Emerging Technologies (B.S.)
- Information Technology and Web Science (B.S.)
- Marketing and Advanced Computing (B.S.)
- Production and Operations Management (B.Tech.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Degrees Offered (School of Management) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Science13
- Applied Physics (B.S.)
- Biochemistry and Biophysics (B.S.)
- Biological Neuroscience (B.S.)
- Biology (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Computational Biology (B.S.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Environmental Science (B.S.)
- Geology (B.S.)
- Hydrogeology (B.S.)
- Interdisciplinary Science (B.S.)
- Mathematics (B.S.)
- Physics (B.S.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Degrees Offered (School of Science) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Other bachelor's programs3
These programs are in the catalog's Baccalaureate list but not in its Degrees Offered table by school.
- Building Sciences (B.S.)
- Physician-Scientist (B.S.)With Albany Medical College: the B.S. at RPI and the M.D. at Albany Medical College.
- Robotics Engineering (B.S.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Dual majors18
Single bachelor's programs that combine two majors, as the catalog lists them.
- Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Biological Neuroscience & Psychological Science (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Communications, Media and Design (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Design Innovation and Society (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Economics (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Information Technology & Web Sciences (B.S.)
- Business & Management and Sustainability Studies (B.S.)
- Business Analytics and Computer Science (B.S.)
- Business Analytics and Economics (B.S.)
- Business Analytics and Industrial & Management Engineering (B.S.)
- Business Analytics and Information Technology & Web Sciences (B.S.)
- Business Analytics and Mathematics (B.S.)
- Design, Innovation, and Society / Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering (B.S.)
- Environmental Sciences / Sustainability Studies (B.S.)
- Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering (B.S.)
Source: Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (Baccalaureate - Dual Major) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | December 12 | Yes |
| Early Action | December 1 | January 30 | No |
| Early Decision II | January 6 | January 16 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | March 6 | No |
| Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) | November 1 | Early April | No |
The application fee is $70, with no fee for applications sent by December 1. Early Decision applicants send first-quarter grades as soon as they have them. If you want need-based aid, the FAFSA and CSS Profile priority dates are November 15 (Early Decision I and B.S./M.D.), December 15 (Early Action), January 8 (Early Decision II) and January 31 (Regular Decision).
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to attending RPI and withdraw your other applications, provided the aid offered meets your needs.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Applying Early (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
RPI lets fall 2027 applicants choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores, and says it will remain test-optional through the Fall 2030 application cycle. Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) applicants must send official scores. RPI superscores the SAT and uses the highest ACT composite; you can self-report scores and send official ones if you enroll.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Prospective Students: Standardized Test Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as required for some applicants and otherwise not required but considered if submitted, for fall 2027 applicants, with scores due by December 31. It names the Accelerated Physician-Scientist Program as the one that requires them.
Source: RPI Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Testing. No change: RPI says it will remain test-optional through the Fall 2030 application cycle, which covers fall 2028 applicants.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Prospective Students: Standardized Test Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: RPI Undergraduate Admissions, Prospective Students: Standardized Test Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at RPI, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $66,300 |
|---|---|
| Fees | $1,676 |
| Food and housing | $18,870 |
| Books and supplies | $1,410 |
| Personal expenses | $1,280 |
| Transportation | $540 |
| Total | $90,076 |
For a full-time undergraduate, fall and spring; the Common Data Set gives the same total. RPI uses the same budget on and off campus unless you live with family. Not in the total: required health insurance ($2,160 for 2026-27, waived if you have family coverage) and a required laptop (about $2,000 if bought from RPI).
Source: RPI Office of Financial Aid, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $24,078 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $26,289 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $28,212 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $36,230 |
| Over $110,000 | $42,541 |
| All incomes | $36,228 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from RPI's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY · Private65.9% admitted$30,783 average net price
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · Private71.1% admitted$34,906 average net price- Touro UniversityNew York, NY · Private60.8% admitted$29,627 average net price
Pace UniversityNew York, NY · Private75.9% admitted$30,892 average net price
Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO · Public60.7% admitted$28,690 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.