Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
#401
QS Rank
52%
Acceptance rate
16%
Intl. students
$62,500
Tuition/yr
7,500
Enrollment
14:1
Student:Faculty
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Elite private research university in Troy, NY. Top engineering and STEM programs.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), founded in 1824, is the oldest technological research university in the United States. Located in Troy, New York, it enrolls approximately 6,967 students across five schools: Engineering, Science, Architecture, Business, and Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
RPI is best known for its engineering and applied science programs. Several departments rank in the US top 25, including nuclear engineering (13th), industrial engineering (17th), and aerospace engineering (23rd). The university also has strong programs in computer science and information technology. Alumni include Ray Tomlinson (inventor of email), Marcian "Ted" Hoff (inventor of the microprocessor), and Steven Sasson (inventor of the digital camera).
The campus sits on a hillside overlooking Troy, a small post-industrial city on the Hudson River about 10 miles north of Albany. Troy offers affordable off-campus living compared to major metro areas. RPI maintains active industry research partnerships and its School of Engineering attracts over $50 million annually in external research funding.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
NY
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates from CRICOS-registered programs qualify for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- RPI's engineering, computer science, and applied science programs align directly with the fields most Nepali students pursue, and graduates report a 93% employment or graduate-study rate with an average starting salary of around $86,000.
- International undergraduate students may be eligible for limited merit scholarships of up to $25,000 per year; the competitive Rensselaer Medal scholarship offers $40,000 per year for four years and is open to international applicants nominated through their high school.
- As an F-1 student at a STEM-designated program, graduates are eligible for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT), giving Nepali graduates a meaningful window to gain US work experience before needing employer-sponsored visa sponsorship.
- Annual undergraduate tuition was $62,500 for 2024-2025, making RPI a high-cost institution; students should budget roughly $85,000 per year all-in, so securing the merit scholarship or external funding is important for cost management.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
Use our GPA converter to translate your exact score to the 4.0 scale.
Does my profile match Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Enter your GPA and IELTS score for an instant admission likelihood check.
Uses published minimum requirements. Final decisions are always at the university's discretion. Use our GPA converter to get your score on the 4.0 scale.
Guides for studying in United States
View allSimilar universities in United States
Want us to verify Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s current requirements?
Our counselors can confirm the latest deadlines, tuition, and requirements directly with the admissions office — free, no signup required.