Can you get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Troy, NY · Private · 5,714 students Here is the class that got in, and where your numbers land inside it.

Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.

The admitted class · 2024

What it took to get in

Acceptance rate

63.5%

SAT middle 50%

1375–1510

median 1440

ACT middle 50%

30–34

median 33

Testing

optional

52% submitted an SAT

Graduation rate

83%

within six years

Reported by the college

What Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute actually reads

Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It is the most useful thing they say about admissions and almost nobody reads it, because knowing that an essay is very important here and class rank is not considered changes where the work should go.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Class rank
    • Essay
    • Recommendations
  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Test scores
    • Work experience
  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Legacy

From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it does not ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set we use that instead.

Real cost · 2024 data

What families actually pay

The sticker price is $82,404, but almost nobody pays it. Average net price at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by family income, after grants and scholarships:

  • Under $30k$24,078
  • $30k–$48k$26,289
  • $48k–$75k$28,212
  • $75k–$110k$36,230
  • Over $110k$42,541

U.S. Department of Education data: average net price per year for aided first-time students. Your number depends on your family’s finances.

Common questions

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admissions, answered

What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits 63.5% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).

What SAT score do you need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1375 and 1510. A score above 1510 clears the 75th percentile; below 1375, the rest of the application has to carry more weight.

Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute test-optional?

Yes, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is currently test-optional. Submit a score if it falls inside or above the admitted middle 50%.

What does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute look for in an application?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports that it weighs grades, course rigor, class rank, essay, recommendations most heavily. Anything it lists as not considered is worth knowing too, because effort spent there does not count here.

How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute actually cost?

Sticker price is $82,404, but the average family pays $36,228 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $24,078 per year on average.

What Spike does with this

Use the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute read in your plan.

Spike helps connect your numbers with courses, testing, essays, activities, and the rest of your college list.