Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was $58,600 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 2.63%–from $57,100 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of New York as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other New York colleges

Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Tuition Different for International Students?

RPI has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at RPI.

Room and Board Costs at RPI

Room and board at RPI costs $16,980 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs vary based on on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at RPI?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At RPI, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city may be expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus is in a suburban setting in New York, not far from Albany.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending RPI.

How Much Does RPI Cost?

What will the cost of attending RPI be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$58,600
Room and Board	$16,980

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$79,434
Off-Campus	$62,454

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

RPI’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time students

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Financial Aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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The majority of RPI undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2022, 3,577 of the 5,614 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. RPI meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $40,410 a year. Around 44.04% of RPI undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. RPI graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $13,759 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$9,592
Private Loans	$20,063

Most Common Loans for RPI Students
Federal Loans	42.26%
Private loans	10%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on RPI financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, RPI awarded 3,021 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $44.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $92.54 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for RPI students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at RPI was $40,410 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of RPI seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$39,024
Off-Campus	$22,044

What will attending RPI really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the RPI's net cost calculator on their website.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

RPI offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

RPI Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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