About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) began as The Rensselaer School before adopting its current name in 1861. RPI holds accreditation from prestigious accrediting bodies, including MSCHE, ABET, AACSB, NAAB, and ACS. The university features five academic schools offering a wide range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs across business, sciences, engineering, arts, and psychology.
Rensselaer is home to a vibrant academic community of over 7,900 students and 500 faculty members, including 176 fellows from professional societies and 63 NSF CAREER Award winners. It maintains a globally inclusive environment with approximately 1,800 international scholars and students in its student body.
The university emphasizes student development through the Center for Career & Professional Development, providing essential support services such as:
- Student counseling and skill development training
- Resume refinement and interview coaching
- Research assistance for potential graduate schools and employers
- Guidance for securing internships and graduate positions
Courses and fees
Tuition as published by the source, converted to rupees. Per year unless the course page says otherwise.
Bachelor's (35)
| Course | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| B.S in Business and Management | — | ₹8.78 L |
| B.S. in Applied Physics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Biological Neuroscience | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Biology | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Computational Biology | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Computer Science | 4 years | ₹56.03 L |
| B.S. in Economics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Geology | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Hydrogeology | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Information Technology and Web Science | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| B.S. in Physics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| Bachelor of Architecture | 5 years | ₹59.76 L |
| Bachelor of Science in Business and Management | 4 years | ₹59.17 L |
| BS in Aeronautical Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Aerospace Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Biochemistry and Biophysics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Biomedical Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Biotechnology and Health Economics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Business Analytics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Chemical Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Chemistry | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Civil Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Computer and Systems Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Electrical Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Environmental Science | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Industrial and Management Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Materials Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Mathematics | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Mechanical Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS in Psychological Science | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| BS inEnvironmental Engineering | 4 years | ₹59.76 L |
| M.Arch (Professional) | — | ₹9.46 L |
| M.Arch II- Geofutures (Post-Professional) | — | ₹33.1 L |
| M.Arch II-Environmental Parametrics (Post-Professional) | — | ₹33.1 L |
Master's (40)
| Course | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| M.S in Architectural Sciences(Acoustics) | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Architectural Sciences(Built Ecologies) | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Business Analytics | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Financial Engineering and Risk Analytics | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in in Architectural Sciences(Lighting) | — | ₹17.05 L |
| M.S in Information Technology | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Lighting | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Management | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Supply Chain Management | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship | — | ₹35.1 L |
| M.S. in Astronomy | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| M.S. in Biology | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| M.S. in Computer Science | 18 months - 24 months | ₹57.71 L |
| M.S. in Geology | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| M.S. in Mathematics | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| M.S. in Quantitative Finance and Risk Analytics | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Architecture (Professional) | 42 months | ₹57.71 L |
| Master of Architecture II- Geofutures (Post-Professional) | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Architecture II-Environmental Parametrics (Post-Professional) | 1 year | ₹57.71 L |
| Master of Science in Architectural Sciences(Acoustics) | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Science in Architectural Sciences(Built Ecologies) | 1 year | ₹57.71 L |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics | 1 year | ₹61.58 L |
| Master of Science in Financial Engineering and Risk Analytics | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Science in in Architectural Sciences(Lighting) | 2 years | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Science in Information Technology | 1 year | ₹57.71 L |
| Master of Science in Lighting | 1 year | ₹57.71 L |
| Master of Science in Management | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Science in Supply Chain Management | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| Master of Science in Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship | 1 year | ₹51.63 L |
| MBA | 1 year | ₹57.71 L |
| ME in Systems Engineering and Technology Management | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Aeronautical Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Biomedical Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Civil Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Electrical Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Environmental Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Industrial and Management Engineering | 1 year | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Materials Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| MEng in Mechanical Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
| Meng in Nuclear Engineering | 18 months - 24 months | ₹59.76 L |
Photos of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Videos: Diversity at RPI: Student Panel · Welcome to Rensselaer! · Exciting undergraduate research at RPI
At a glance
- Type
- Private
- Living expenses
- UG USD 16,690
- Course duration
- 1 year - 18 months
- Campuses
- 2
- Campus size
- 265
Rankings
| Subject | Grade | Rank | Other tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | A | #20 | US News #19 |
| Mechanical Engineering | A | #34 | US News #28 · QS #301 |
| Electrical Engineering | A | #35 | US News #28 |
| Chemical Engineering | A | #37 | US News #34 |
| Biomedical Engineering | B++ | #42 | US News #37 |
Admission requirements
Documents
- SOPNot required
- LORNeeded for few courses
- EssaysNeeded for few courses
- CVNeeded for few courses
- Additional documentsRequired
Application fees
- USD 70 - 75
Type of deadline
- Depends on course
Intake Season & Deadlines
- Fall1ˢᵗ Jan 2023 - 1ˢᵗ Mar 2026
- Spring15ᵗʰ Aug 2023 - 15ᵗʰ Aug 2026
Placements and recruiters
Internships: Available for some courses.
Accenture
ABN Amro Bank
Barclays Bank
Bank of America
Barclays Capital
Amazon.com
Deloitte
Merrill Lynch
Cisco Systems
Osmosys
GE Capital Services
Local Oye
Citigroup
HSBC
IBM
Google
Microsoft
Ernst & Young
CITI Bank
Goldman Sachs
Campuses
110 Eighth Street Troy, NY USA 12180
275 Windsor Street, Hartford CT, 06120-2910
Scholarships at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Amount: ₹10 L · Deadline: 2026-04-30
5 awards
Amount: ₹3 L ·
Deadline: 2026-03-29
37 awards
Amount: ₹4.72 L ·
Amount: ₹42.37 L ·
1 awards
Amount: ₹2.83 L ·
Amount: ₹47.13 L · Deadline: 2026-08-31
Amount: ₹3 L ·
Imported from public sources. Confirm amounts and deadlines with the university.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is a private university that welcomed its first cohort of students in 1824. The main campus of the university is located in Troy, USA. As part of its course catalogue, the university has 69 courses across 7 streams, the most popular being Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Science, Architecture & Planning and Humanities & Social Sciences. These courses are divided as 31 courses at UG level and 38 courses at graduate level. List of popular courses are MBA/PGDM, MS, M.Arch, BBA and B.E. / B.Tech. The UG courses have an average duration of 4 years to 5 years, while that of graduate courses is around 18 months to 2 years. The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute tuition fee for the first-year tuition fee for UG courses is USD 58,600 - 62,500. For PG courses, this costs USD 54,000 - 64,400. For students relocating to Troy, the annual cost of living is around USD 14,040 - 17,530. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute prioritizes applicants with a solid academic track record and thus prospective students are required to satisfy the entry requirements, to have the best possible chance of admission at the institute. The following exam scores are deemed acceptable for admissions by the institute: Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and PTE.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Scholarships
Most of the merit-scholarships at RPI Troy are not available to international students. Even for the MBA course, the university offers scholarships to students with US citizenship. Apart from the scholarships, students can check the details for need-based funding.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute courses
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers over 69 courses to Indian students across 7 streams at the level. Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Science, Architecture & Planning and Humanities & Social Sciences are among the most popular streams to choose from. When it comes to specialisations, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, Physics, Finance and International Business are the ones that stand out. B.E. / B.Tech, BBA, B.Sc., B.A. and B.Arch are popular UG courses with an overall duration of 4 years to 5 years. At the graduate level, there are 38 courses to choose from. Of these, MS, MBA/PGDM, M.Arch and MEng are the prominent ones. PG courses can be completed in a duration of 18 months to 2 years.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Notable Alumni
A few of the popular personalities who have graduated from RPI Troy are Judge Arthur J. Gajarsa, Nobel prize winner in Physics Ivar Giaever, Adult Stem Cell Pioneer James Fallon, etc. A few of the other names included in the RPI notable alumni list are given below:
|
Names |
Professions / Achievements |
|---|---|
|
Adam Oates |
Former ice hockey player |
|
Dr. Chauncey Starr |
Electrical Engineer |
|
Dennis Tito |
Engineer and Entrepreneur |
|
Rosalyn Scott |
First African-American woman to become a thoracic surgeon |
|
Bobby Farrelly |
Film director, screenwriter & producer |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Job Outcomes
According to the Class of 2021 at RPI, the following are the employment statistics:
- RPI graduates were employed in the industries such as Technology, Consulting, Biotechnology, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Healthcare, etc.
- The average salary is USD 81,452
- The top employers are Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, Deloitte, IBM, Bloomberg, EY, Goldman Sachs, Pfizer, Accenture, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, Cognizant, etc.
Check details about RPI placements from here
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Fees
The cost of attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute depends on the course an Indian student applies for. For UG applicants, the first-year tuition costs around USD 58,600 - 62,500. On the other hand, the annual tuition for graduates is USD 58,600 - 62,500. Other expenses are also included in the total cost of attending the university. These are hostel fees, food, books and supplies, and other personal expenses. The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost of living is USD 14,040 - 17,530.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Admission 2026
For Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission, Indian students have to apply online through the official website. The general admission requirements include meeting the entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts English Language exam scores such as Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and PTE as a proof. Also at the end of application process, there is an application fee. To complete the application process, students are required to submit a few documents such as LOR, ESSAY and CV.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Ranking 2026
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is considered to be one of the top universities nationally. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranking stands at #115 in 2026 at national level. Also, the university is ranked #504 in the world by Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026. Moreover, a few of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking as mentioned below-
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Course Name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (World) | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (Country) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM | #254 | #148 |
| MS | #411 | #67 |
| B.E. / B.Tech | - | #37 |
| BBA | - | #98 |
| MIM | #158 | #48 |
By Other Ranking Bodies
Apart from Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. It ranks Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at #695 in 2026. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranking stood at #64 as per US News in 2026 and #501 by THE in 2026, globally.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Campus Life
The main campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, USA. The university offers a great campus life to its students. Students here have varied options to participate in community building. The university has organisations and clubs, in which students can participate as per their interests. On top of this, students can participate in sports and join university teams. They can also access variety of resources and services at the campus such as library, recreation centres, sports complex, placement services, among others.
Common questions
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute prestigious?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is placed at #60 position in the national universities list by U.S. News & World Report. As per a few of the student reviews, it has been said that RPI is consistently ranked among the top US universities. It offers a rigorous and challenging with a focus on STEM subjects and research. Furthermore, for students, there are various student resources such as 200+ clubs and organizations, sports and recreation facilities, health & counselling services, etc. Also, the first-year student retention rate is 89%.
Is Rensselaer private or public?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute located in Troy, New York. The institute is located on a 260-acre campus. To make a great RPI campus life, a few student services that are offered are 200+ clubs and organizations, sports and recreation facilities, health & counselling services, etc. RPI First-year and second-year students can live on-campus.
Is Rensselaer hard to get into?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute New York acceptance rate is 65%, according to a few unofficial sources. Keeping the acceptance rate in mind, it can be said that the institute is somewhat selective during the admission. So, to get into this institute, it is a sure thing that the applicants are required to have a good academic background. Apart from this, the applicants must submit their application as per the required deadline with all the supporting documents. The general Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission requirements are mentioned below:
- UG: The applicants should have obtained secondary school qualification
- PG: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent must be obtained for admission to graduate courses
How many international students are at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Around 1,800 international students and scholars are there at RPI Troy. As per the facts of 2022-23, the total student enrollment at the institute is 7,000+. A wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs are offered to international students. Some of the degrees that international students can attain from RPI are MS, MBA, BBA, M.Arch, BTech, etc.
What career services are offered by RPI?
Various career services are offered by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy such as:
- Search for job postings and internships
- Help with career application materials such as resume making, keyword tips, formatting tips, etc.
- Career fairs are also organized by the institute
Some of the numbers for RPI Career Services are:
- Career fair student attendees: 1,950
- On-campus interviews: 1,923
- Student searching Handshake (job platform): 7,633
What are the career opportunities by RPI for MSc in Supply Chain Management?
The average starting salary of MSc in Supply Chain Management is USD 76,000. After getting a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, students will get prepared for a transformative career in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Consulting, Operations Management, Consulting, or Procurement and Sourcing. The companies that have hired the graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute MSc in Supply Chain Management are:
- Amazon
- Accenture
- IBM
- Deloitte
- Johnson & Johnson
- Unilever
- Pratt & Whitney
What is the application deadline for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The application deadlines for RPI Troy vary as per the UG and PG courses. The RPI application deadlines are given below:
Type of Application
Application Deadline (Fall next year)
Early Decision I
Nov 1, 2024
Early Action
Dec 1, 2024
Early Decision II
Jan 3, 2025
Regular Decision
Jan 15, 2025
What time does RPI decisions come out?
In the case of UG programs, since there are different types of application rounds, the admission decisions are announced on various dates by RPI Troy. Here are some of the admission decision dates of the university’s UG programs:
Type of Application
RPI Decision Date
Early Decision I
Dec 14, 2024
Early Action
Early Feb 2025
Early Decision II
Jan End 2025
Regular Decision
Mar 8, 2025
How do I get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute requirements are given below:
- Undergraduate Courses: The applicants are required to have academic transcripts from secondary schools / high school
- Graduate Courses: The minimum requirement for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission is the completion and award of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, by the time of planned enrolment
Apart from the above-given academic requirements, international applicants are also required to submit test scores of English language proficiency such as IELTS / TOEFL / PTE, etc.
Also Read: Requirements to Study in USA for International Students
What are the requirements for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The academic requirements for admission to RPI Troy vary as per the course levels. However, there are general requirements that the university expects its international students to meet. These are:
- UG: The applicants should have obtained secondary school qualification
- PG: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent should be obtained by the applicants to get into graduate courses
Besides meeting the academic requirements, the applicants should meet the English language proficiency requirements. To showcase this, the applicants are required to submit IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo score.
What are the English requirements for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy has stated that international students must submit IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo scores in order to take admission. The minimum scores required in these ELP tests are:
Tests
UG Score
PG Score
TOEFL iBT
88
88
IELTS
7.0
6.5
Duolingo
115
120
PTE
59
59
What does a competitive applicant have to get into RPI Troy Lally School of Management?
For admission to RPI Troy Lally School of Management graduate courses, the competent applicants have the following:
- A GPA of 3.0
- A GMAT score of 600 or GRE score of 156 Q / 146 V / 4.0 AW
Note the above-given requirements are not the minimum requirements, and the GMAT / GRE score submission is optional. All the applications at the institute are reviewed holistically, where in academic grades, letters of recommendation, test scores, work experience, and personal statement are considered.
Who is eligible for the Supply Chain Management MSc course of RPI?
For admissions to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute MSc Supply Chain Management, the applicants must have a four-year US bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Besides this, the applicants are required to have evidence of English language proficiency such as IELTS / TOEFL / PTE, etc. The documents that have to be submitted along with the application are:
- Resume / CV
- Personal Statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- GRE / GMAT score (Optional)
What are the most popular courses at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The two of the most popular Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy popular programs are MBA and MSc in IT. A few of the courses of the institute are ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2023. The rankings of these courses are given below:
Courses (Graduate School Category)
U.S. News & World Report 2023 Subject Rankings
Industrial Engineering
#29
Mechanical Engineering
#34
Civil Engineering
#35
Biomedical Engineering
#41
Electrical Engineering
#42
Chemical Engineering
#43
What major is RPI known for?
A few of the most popular majors of RPI Troy are Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Mathematics and Statistics; Visual and Performing Arts, etc. The most popular majors among the institute’s 2022 graduates were:
<!- [if !supportLists]->· <!- [endif]->Engineering: 45%
<!- [if !supportLists]->· <!- [endif]->Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 21%
Is RPI a top 50 school?
As per U.S. News & World Report, RPI Troy rank is #60 in the national universities category for 2024. Though not in the Top 50 universities in the US, the university is in the Top 60 universities in the US. In 2023, RPI ranked at #51 position. A few of the indicators that are used by U.S. News & World Report for ranking purpose are expert opinion, outcomes, faculty resources, financial resources, etc.
What is the rank of RPI in the world?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute world ranking as per QS World University Rankings in 2024 is #494. Whereas, THE World University ranking has placed it at #401-500 in 2024. A comparison of the university with the current year’s ranking and 2023 is given below:
Ranking Body
2023
2024
QS World University Rankings
#461
#494
THE World University Rankings
#601-800
#401-500
Why is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute considered to be a good institute even though it has low rankings?
As per alumni student review of RPI, while the institute is not an elite university, its students have risen through the ranks of every major Engineering or Technology company for the last two centuries. RPI graduates have a great reputation in industry for being very knowledgeable, hard-working, and practical when compared with the competitor universities.
Similar universities in United States
Nearest by ranking, so these are the ones you would realistically compare against.