Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance Rate Trend
SAT Score Range Trend
(middle 50% of admitted students)
| Year | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1330 | 1500 |
| 2022 | 1360 | 1520 |
| 2023 | 1360 | 1520 |
| 2024 | 1370 | 1490 |
Application Timeline
Application Methods
👍 Great Fit If You Are:
Hands-on technologists
if you learn best by building, coding, modeling, and optimizing, RPI is a maker’s lab.
Engineers with aesthetic sense
if you care not just how something works but how it fits the world, RPI blends design and logic.
No-drama builders
if you’re disciplined, internally motivated, and like heads-down focus, this culture fits you.
Problem-focused thinkers
if your instinct is always ‘how do we fix this?’ instead of ‘who’s to blame?’, RPI will feel right.
Early-career pragmatists
if you want strong STEM training with real employer respect, RPI delivers high ROI outcomes.
🚨 Not Ideal For:
Social-energy seekers
RPI is not a party school; it's quieter, more focused, and less culturally loud.
Loose-curiosity types
open exploration exists, but many majors are structured and rigorous from day one.
Liberal arts lovers
while there’s a humanities core, the culture is tech-dominant and may not fully nurture philosophical depth.
Urbanites
Troy is modest, industrial, and slow-paced; NYC is 2.5 hours away but not part of daily life.
Brand-only hunters
RPI is respected in industry, but less known to the general public than MIT or Stanford.
☀️ Weather & Climate
spring
45-65°F (7-18°C)
Mild with rain showers
summer
65-85°F (18-29°C)
Warm and humid
fall
45-70°F (7-21°C)
Cool and crisp
winter
15-35°F (-9 to 2°C)
Cold with snow
Four distinct seasons with cold winters and warm summers
☀️Average 185 sunny days per year
👩🎓👨🎓 Demographics
Gender Ratio
Ethnic Distribution
📚 Popular Majors
Campus Area Dining
Nearby Areas
Historic district with cafes and shops
Capital city with diverse dining and entertainment