The average acceptance rate at RPI over the past 10 years is 51.65%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 63.47%. Compared to the previous year, it became easier to gain admission to RPI in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 17.41%, and the 2025 yield is 12.05%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 35.04% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of RPI applicants increased by 5.48% (892 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 3.25% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 63.47%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that RPI is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 12.05%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at RPI. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, RPI received approximately 17,175 applications, admitted 10,901 students, and enrolled 1,314 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing RPI's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
RPI 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at RPI over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 51.65%, while the most recent rate stands at 63.47%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 63.47%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 50.99% and for women is 53.20%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at RPI have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 41.87% | 39.41% | 47.43% |
| 2016-17 | 44.35% 2.48% |
42.61% 3.20% |
48.20% 0.78% |
| 2017-18 | 43.17% -1.18% |
41.59% -1.02% |
46.70% -1.50% |
| 2018-19 | 42.99% -0.18% |
41.29% -0.29% |
46.57% -0.13% |
| 2019-20 | 47.41% 4.42% |
45.62% 4.33% |
51.30% 4.73% |
| 2020-21 | 57.26% 9.85% |
57.19% 11.57% |
57.40% 6.10% |
| 2021-22 | 53.00% -4.26% |
52.00% -5.19% |
55.01% -2.39% |
| 2022-23 | 64.51% 11.51% |
66.25% 14.25% |
61.16% 6.15% |
| 2023-24 | 58.45% -6.06% |
58.53% -7.72% |
58.38% -2.78% |
| 2024-25 | 63.47% 5.02% |
65.39% 6.86% |
59.90% 1.52% |
| Average | 51.65% | 50.99% | 53.20% |
RPI has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 18.55% in 2015 to 12.05% in 2025, representing a 35.04% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 17.41%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at RPI from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 35.04% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 18.55% | 19.27% | 17.22% |
| 2016-17 | 20.58% 2.03% |
21.26% 1.99% |
19.26% 2.04% |
| 2017-18 | 19.75% -0.83% |
20.77% -0.49% |
17.72% -1.54% |
| 2018-19 | 20.27% 0.52% |
21.15% 0.38% |
18.62% 0.90% |
| 2019-20 | 18.85% -1.43% |
19.54% -1.61% |
17.50% -1.12% |
| 2020-21 | 15.35% -3.50% |
16.18% -3.36% |
13.66% -3.85% |
| 2021-22 | 14.00% -1.35% |
15.00% -1.18% |
12.01% -1.64% |
| 2022-23 | 18.40% 4.41% |
19.01% 4.01% |
17.09% 5.07% |
| 2023-24 | 16.31% -2.10% |
16.39% -2.62% |
16.15% -0.94% |
| 2024-25 | 12.05% -4.25% |
12.21% -4.18% |
11.74% -4.40% |
| Average | 17.41% | 18.08% | 16.10% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 17,930, the average number of admitted is 9,178, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,581.
The number of RPI applicants increased by 5.48% (892 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 3.25% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 17,752 | 7,432 | 1,379 |
| 2016-17 | 18,524 4.35% |
8,215 10.54% |
1,691 22.63% |
| 2017-18 | 19,505 5.30% |
8,420 2.50% |
1,663 -1.66% |
| 2018-19 | 20,402 4.60% |
8,770 4.16% |
1,778 6.92% |
| 2019-20 | 18,635 -8.66% |
8,835 0.74% |
1,665 -6.36% |
| 2020-21 | 16,661 -10.59% |
9,540 7.98% |
1,464 -12.07% |
| 2021-22 | 17,498 5.02% |
9,274 -2.79% |
1,298 -11.34% |
| 2022-23 | 16,863 -3.63% |
10,878 17.30% |
2,002 54.24% |
| 2023-24 | 16,283 -3.44% |
9,517 -12.51% |
1,552 -22.48% |
| 2024-25 | 17,175 5.48% |
10,901 14.54% |
1,314 -15.34% |
| Average | 17,930 | 9,178 | 1,581 |
The following table compares Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 58.45% | 63.47% | 8.59% |
| New York University | 9.23% | 9.41% | -1.91% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 3.99% | 4.23% | -5.67% |
| Cornell University | 8.76% | 8.16% | 7.35% |
| Syracuse University | 45.92% | 41.69% | 10.15% |
| St. John's University-New York | 83.43% | 79.67% | 4.72% |
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