Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Private
- Research university
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: international tuition 66,300 USD per year, one-year total cost 90,076 USD, acceptance rate 63.5%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, Duolingo 115.
First-year international students, including Vietnamese applicants, may be considered for RPI's limited merit scholarships of up to about $20,000 per year. Need-based aid for international students is not clearly stated, so plan to cover the full cost.
Getting in. The school admits 63.5% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 670–740, Math 705–770, ACT 30–34. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL iBT 88+ or Duolingo 115+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 90,076 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship is confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 1/11. You apply through Common App. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 11/10/2026Cost checked 11/10/2026
What is the tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
International tuition is 66,300 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 90,076 USD.
Does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. First-year international students, including Vietnamese applicants, may be considered for RPI's limited merit scholarships of up to about $20,000 per year. Need-based aid for international students is not clearly stated, so plan to cover the full cost.
What English scores does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, Duolingo 115.
What is the acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The acceptance rate is 63.5%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school has merit scholarships for international students, but does not say whether they are automatic or need their own application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.There are scholarships open to international students, but the pages do not say whether they need their own application.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- The College Tour2024Campus tour
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 727 private United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 16/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe pages only say U.S. citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered for merit. For international students they do not say whether merit is automatic or needs a separate application, so it is Unclear.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe pages say nothing about whether admissions decisions for international students take ability to pay into account, so no conclusion can be drawn.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe CSS Profile is tied to need-based aid (Canadians), and international students must submit the ISFS after enrolling. No page states that merit or aid for international students requires the CSS Profile or a separate form, so it is Unclear.
Scholarships at this school
Merit scholarships for international undergraduatesMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page20,000 USD/year≈ ₫521M
The page explicitly says these are limited merit scholarships for international undergraduates.
2024 Bicentennial AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page
The page does not state citizenship or international-student eligibility for this award.
Institutional need-based grant (Canadian citizens)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Separate application requiredSchool page
The page only says Canadian citizens may be considered for the institutional need-based grant; it does not say other international students are excluded, so exclusion cannot be concluded.
Deadline: CSS Profile priority dates: Nov 15 (ED I), Dec 15 (EA), Jan 5 (ED II), Jan 31 (RD)
Rensselaer Garnet Baltimore AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page identifies this as a merit-based award for outstanding students but gives no international eligibility.
Rensselaer Leadership AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page calls this a merit-based award but does not confirm eligibility for international students.
Rensselaer Medal AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page describes this as a merit-based scholarship but gives no international-student eligibility.
Rensselaer Medal ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page only says additional funding may be available for Medal recipients, without clearly stating international eligibility.
Rensselaer Recognition AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page says this award is non-need-based but does not say international students are considered.
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- English proficiencyRequired
- SATACTOptional
- EssaysRequired
- PortfolioiA portfolio is required only for applicants to the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program.Required
- InterviewOptional
- Proof of fundsiStudents studying on F-1 or J-1 visas must submit financial proof after admission, enrollment, and payment of the enrollment deposit.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 190 United States schools admitting 40–70% that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 164 United States schools admitting 40–70% that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- Early Decision I application deadline (ED)Applicationin17days
- Early Action application deadline (EA)Application+47 days
- Early Decision I notification date (ED)Decision+58 days
- Early Decision II application deadline (ED2)Application+83 days
- Regular Decision application deadline (RD)Application+92 days
- Early Decision II notification date (ED2)Decision+93 days
- Early Action notification date (EA)Decision+107 days
- Regular Decision notification date (RD)Decision+142 days
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
39 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 14/10/2026How Duckling sources data