by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a RPI degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how RPI measures up.
RPI is ranked #2,900 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within New York, it ranks #185 of 216 for value.
These RPI majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology | #3 of 3 |
| Electronic / Computer Technology | #3 of 3 |
| Other Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | #12 of 14 |
| General Nuclear Engineering | #15 of 15 |
| Nuclear Engineering | #15 of 15 |
| Engineering | #15 of 15 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | #20 of 21 |
| Information Systems | #24 of 33 |
| Psychology | #30 of 37 |
| Other Physics | #31 of 34 |
Below is the detailed RPI value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is ranked #17 out of #236 in New York for quality and #185 out of #216 for New York value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the RPI financial aid page to be sure.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is ranked #2,900 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at RPI costs about $39,922. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $159,688 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $82,404 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $36,228 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $39,922 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $159,688 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the RPI net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What RPI costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a RPI degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $329,616 | — | — |
| All Students | $159,688 | #2,900 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $144,912 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $329,616 | — | — |
| All Students | $159,688 | #185 | D+ |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $144,912 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at RPI shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $21,009 |
| $30K–$48K | $24,670 |
| $48K–$75K | $25,624 |
| $75K–$110K | $33,615 |
| Over $110K | $39,583 |
About 92% of RPI undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $41,577 per year. Get more details on the RPI financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average RPI cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.