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Troy, NY · Physics & astronomy

Physics & astronomy at RPI

RPI graduates about 42 physics & astronomy majors a year, 3% of its graduating class. That puts it 53rd of 525 schools we score for physics & astronomy, a standout program at 85 out of 100. Graduates in the major earn a median $82,000 four years out, 1.07× what the same major pays nationally. Research spending in the field runs about $5 million a year, a rough guide to how many labs and projects undergraduates can join.

85/100Standout#53 of 525 for physics & astronomy →
Graduates a year423% of the class
Median pay 4 years out$82,0001.07× the same major nationally
Research in the field$5Ma year, NSF
Admit rate63%whole school
SAT middle 50%1360–1520whole school

Around RPI

E. Fred Schubert at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) in Troy NY during the
2023-May--IMG 8177--EFS--SQ-04Photo: Judy246 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Russell Sage Dining Hall from a distance at night
Russell Sage Dining Hall Far Away at NightPhoto: RPI2026F1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
RPI Walk Over Bridge Far Away at Night
RPI Walk Over Bridge Far Away at NightPhoto: RPI2026F1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
A picture of the Mueller Center at RPI
RPI Mueller Center 07Photo: RPI2026F1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Where physics & astronomy happens

Buildings on campus that fit the field: Jonsson-Rowland Science Center.

Named buildings on the campus map: Academic 42 · Dorm 17 · Athletics 5 · Dining 4 · Chapel 1 · Library 1.

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Nearby in the physics & astronomy ranking

  1. Bates College 86
  2. Georgetown University 86
  3. University of Wisconsin–Madison 85
  4. New York University 85
  5. University of Southern California 85
  6. Grinnell College 85
  7. Smith College 85
  8. Emory University 85

Other strong majors at RPI

How the score works

The score is out of 100 and compares RPI with every school we score in physics & astronomy. It weighs the school's overall strength; how many students graduate in the major and what share of the class they are; research spending in the field (NSF); early pay against the same major nationally; how many courses the catalog lists; and test scores. 80+ is a standout program, 65+ strong, 45+ solid. Sources: US Department of Education (College Scorecard, IPEDS), NSF HERD, each school's current course catalog, OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia Commons.

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