CollegeScout
Private

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY
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Admit Rate
63%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
Cost of Attendance
$82,404
per year, before aid
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: RPI undergraduate admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 28, 2026)

The Physician-Scientist Program (B.S./M.D.) with Albany Medical College still requires official SAT or ACT scores.

Data sourced from IPEDS, Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years math through Calculus (BC preferred)Physics and Chemistry (AP/honors preferred)4 years EnglishA programming/CS course if targeting CS or ECSE

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. The Physician-Scientist Program (B.S./M.D.) with Albany Medical College still requires official SAT or ACT scores. RPI undergraduate admissions
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$0. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Decision (binding) November 1, Early Decision II (binding) January 6, Early Action December 1, Regular Decision January 15. Common App requirements grid
Overall
63%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1360 - 1520
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Computer Science
  2. 2Mechanical Engineering
  3. 3Aerospace Engineering
  4. 4Biomedical Engineering
  5. 5Electrical Engineering
  6. 6Business Administration
  7. 7Mathematics
  8. 8Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician
  9. 9Architecture
  10. 10Civil Engineering

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Decision
November 1 · Binding
Early Decision II
January 6 · Binding
Early Action
December 1 · Non-binding
Regular Decision
January 15 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$0
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation, mid-year report

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division III
Varsity sports (12)
BaseballBasketballField hockeyFootballGolfIce hockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross country
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

EngineeringComputer ScienceArchitecture

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
Mechanical EngineeringElectrical/Computer EngineeringComputer ScienceChemical & Biomedical EngineeringArchitecturePhysicsBusiness (Lally School of Management)
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Games and Simulation Arts and SciencesMedia Arts, Science, and Technology (MAST)Design, Innovation, and Society (DIS)

Cost

Cost of attendance, per year
$82,404* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $64,081* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$24,078
$30,001 – $48,000
$26,289
$48,001 – $75,000
$28,212
$75,001 – $110,000
$36,230
Over $110,000
$42,541

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

RPI is known for awarding substantial merit scholarships to strong STEM applicants, so meaningful tuition discounting is realistic even without demonstrated financial need.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Troy, NY· Small City
Undergraduates
5,741
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
14% of students
Living on campus
57% of students

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27

‡RPI undergraduate admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 28, 2026

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