Troy, NY · Private University
Is RPI Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$102,051
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$61,884
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$61,884
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$247,536
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.65x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$33,139
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $57,051 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked by graduate earnings
219 graduates
70 graduates
70 graduates
39 graduates
81 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $170,829) and the lowest (Architecture: $67,304) is $103,525/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $170,829 | 2.8x |
| Computer Science | $129,412 | 2.1x |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $119,498 | 1.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $102,236 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $100,012 | 1.6x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $98,618 | 1.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $98,602 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $90,212 | 1.5x |
| Physics | $88,071 | 1.4x |
| Nuclear Engineering | $84,290 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,101 | 1.4x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $84,061 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $82,861 | 1.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $82,696 | 1.3x |
| Materials Engineering | $77,181 | 1.3x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $71,567 | 1.2x |
| ArchitectureLowest | $67,304 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 1.65x | $102,051 | Good ROI |
| Fordham University | 1.38x | $85,569 | Average ROI |
| Providence College | 1.43x | $87,054 | Average ROI |
| Fairfield University | 1.57x | $88,794 | Good ROI |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | 1.78x | $108,772 | Good ROI |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 1.60x | $82,592 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $102,051 10 years after starting — $57,051 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.