Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's published cost of attendance reaches $79,934 per year, including $61,884 in tuition, $17,530 for room and board, and $1,310 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $33,139 after financial aid, representing savings of $46,795 from the sticker price.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $79,934 |
| Tuition and Fees | $61,884 |
| Room and Board | $17,530 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,310 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$46,795 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $33,139 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $21,009 |
| $30–48k | $24,670 |
| $48–75k | $25,624 |
| $75–110k | $33,615 |
| $110k+ | $39,583 |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's published cost of attendance reaches $79,934 per year, including $61,884 in tuition, $17,530 for room and board, and $1,310 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $33,139 after financial aid, representing savings of $46,795 from the sticker price. This net price of $33,139 exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $5,996, reflecting the premium typical of private STEM-focused institutions.
The financial aid system at RPI provides substantial support, with average aid covering 58.5% of published costs. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $21,009 for families earning under $30,000 to $39,583 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure indicates that RPI directs financial aid primarily toward students from lower and middle-income families.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
RPI graduates complete their degrees with median debt of $23,750, placing the institution around the national average at the 43rd percentile for borrowing levels. Debt amounts range from $17,000 at the 25th percentile to $35,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating moderate variation in borrowing patterns among students.
Compared to peer institutions with median debt of $24,181, RPI students borrow $431 less, suggesting similar debt management despite higher costs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 indicates that typical graduates can manage their debt obligations comfortably relative to post-graduation earnings of $102,051.
Parent PLUS borrowing reaches a median of $42,471 with monthly payments of $559, reflecting additional family investment in RPI education. The combination of around-average student debt with exceptional earnings outcomes creates favorable conditions for loan repayment and long-term financial stability.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
RPI delivers exceptional return on educational investment despite higher upfront costs, with graduates earning $8,303 beyond expectations and ranking at the 82.3rd percentile nationally for earnings uplift. The institution's median earnings of $102,051 place it at the 99.9th percentile nationally, while debt levels remain around the national average at $23,750.
Compared to peer institutions, RPI graduates earn $38,985 more annually while carrying essentially equivalent debt loads, creating a highly favorable risk-return profile. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 indicates sustainable borrowing relative to career earning potential, while the exceptional return index percentile of 97.3% places RPI among the highest we track for educational ROI.
Students and families should view RPI's higher costs as an investment in career outcomes that significantly exceed typical expectations for private nonprofit institutions. The combination of top-tier earnings, controlled debt, and strong career trajectory in high-demand STEM fields supports the premium pricing relative to alternatives.
RPI's financial aid approach concentrates support toward students from lower and middle-income backgrounds, with the institution providing an average of $46,795 in aid and discounts per student. This substantial aid amount covers 58.5% of published costs, indicating that most students receive meaningful financial assistance.
The progressive net price structure, ranging from $21,009 for the lowest-income families to $39,583 for the highest earners, demonstrates targeted aid distribution based on family financial circumstances. With 18.6% of students receiving Pell grants, RPI serves a moderate share of lower-income students within its private nonprofit peer group.
The institution's aid strategy appears designed to make STEM education accessible to academically qualified students across diverse economic backgrounds, though costs remain above public institution levels even after aid. The significant gap between sticker price and average net price indicates that merit and need-based aid play substantial roles in making RPI attendance financially feasible for most enrolled students.
