At a Glance
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Troy, NY. Approximately 5,714 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. Saratoga Lake is about 18 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 17 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Troy, NY
Campus Identity
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Troy, NY. Approximately 5,714 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. Saratoga Lake is about 18 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 17 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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Campus Lifestyle
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a 5,000–9,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a strong greek life Greek scene. The campus is 108 miles from Sea Bluff Beach, CT and 17 miles from Maple Ski Ridge.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Liberty League
School Size & Setting
5,000–9,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
108 miles
Sea Bluff Beach, CT
Weather
Cold Climate
44°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 24% of men are in a fraternity and 14% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only way into it. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
24%
Men in fraternities
14%
Women in sororities
Strong Greek Life
Greek life scale
Ski Town
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Maple Ski Ridge, 17 miles away with 3 lifts and 25 skiable acres. All are within 27 miles of campus.
New York
Massachusetts
New York
Nearest Beach
Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 108 miles from Sea Bluff Beach, CT.
Sea Bluff Beach, CT
Ocean access within 108.5 miles
Nearby Lake
Saratoga Lake is 18 miles from campus, giving Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Saratoga Lake
Lake access within 18.1 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Troy, NY
Troy has a cool climate, with winters averaging 26°F in Jan and summers peaking around 75°F in Jul.
Station: TROY LOCK AND DAM · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in NY earns a composite safety score of 50/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $64,081 |
| Fees | $1,426 |
| Room & Board | $18,120 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $83,627 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
131 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute located?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY. The main campus address is 110 8th St, Troy, NY. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has an acceptance rate of 63%, making it moderately selective. Out of 17,175 applicants, 10,901 were admitted in the most recent year. 5,714 enrolled.
How many students attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute enrolls 5,714 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scored between 30 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 11% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute charges $64,081/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,120/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $58,526/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,228/year — what students actually pay. Use Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The undergraduate application fee at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
What NCAA division is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute competes in NCAA Division III, part of the Liberty League. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.
What percentage of students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are in Greek life?
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 24% of men are in a fraternity and 14% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only route into it. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the right fit for me?
Whether Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (63% admit rate), avg net price ($36,228/year after aid), campus culture in Troy, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Troy, NY
- Size
- 5,000–9,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Liberty League
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 44°F avg
- App Fee
- $70
- On Campus Safety Score
- 50/100
- Nearest Airport
- Albany, NY (ALB) · 7 mialso SCH (15 mi), GFL (42 mi)