RPI
rpi.md
RPI
Overview
- Location: Troy, NY
- Type: Private research university
- Category: stem_elite
- US News Ranking: ~55-60 national
- Founded: 1824 (oldest technological research university in the English-speaking world)
Admissions (2024-2025 cycle)
- Total Applicants: 17,193
- Admitted: ~10,906 (63% acceptance rate)
- Enrolled: ~1,580 (12% yield - extremely low)
- ED I deadline: November 1 (70% acceptance rate)
- ED II deadline: December 15
- RD acceptance rate: ~55%
- Testing: Test-optional (through at least Fall 2026 cycle)
- SAT Middle 50: 1330-1500 (ERW 650-730, Math 680-770)
- ACT Middle 50: 30-34
- Avg GPA: 3.8 unweighted
- Top 10% of class: 53%
- First-year retention: 91%
Demographics (Undergraduate, 2023-2024)
- Total undergrad enrollment: ~5,743
- White: 41.6%, Asian: 19.1%, International: 17.0%, Hispanic: 10.6%, Multiracial: 5.0%, Black: 4.8%
- Women: 31.2%, Men: 68.8%
Net Cost by Income (Title IV aid recipients)
| Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0-30K | $22,662 |
| $30K-48K | $24,361 |
| $48K-75K | $26,797 |
| $75K-110K | $34,046 |
| $110K+ | $43,869 |
Athletics
- NCAA Division III (Liberty League) — except D1 men's ice hockey (ECAC Hockey)
- 21 varsity sports
- 819 total athletes (~14.3% of undergrad enrollment)
- No athletic scholarships (D3), except ice hockey
Key Simulation Notes
- Extremely low yield (12%) is the defining challenge — many admitted students choose elsewhere
- High acceptance rate (63%) but strong academic profile of enrolled students
- ED is important for RPI: 70% ED acceptance rate vs 55% RD
- Rensselaer Medal program: high school students nominated for merit scholarships, helps with yield
- D3 athletics mean 14% of students are athletes — very high participation rate but no recruited athlete admissions boost
- For simulation: model as moderately selective but with very low yield; ED multiplier ~1.27x (70/55)
- Financial aid less generous than peer private institutions — net cost stays high across income brackets