Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Terre Haute, Indiana
72.8% Acceptance Rate
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.8%Acceptance Rate
4Avg GPA
1389Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$74,226Annual Cost
$101,253Grad Salary
11.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.8%
Avg GPA
4
Avg SAT
1389
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1280–1470
ACT Middle 50%
29–34
Need-Based Aid
11.7% receive Pell
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, established in 1874, is America's top-ranked undergraduate engineering college. The Terre Haute campus features the $50-million Kremer Innovation Center. Rose-Hulman's 'Project-Based Curriculum' emphasizes hands-on design from day one.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is moderately selective. 72.8% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What RHIT Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
4.00 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.80 – 3.99
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.55
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
RHIT GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at RHIT is 4. That makes admissions here extremely selective on GPA. Near the top of your class is the expectation, not the exception.. Most admitted students carry mostly A's across the board.
AP or IB courses aligned with your intended major (calculus and physics for engineering, for instance) meaningfully strengthen an application here.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.20–4.40.RHIT GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor, including AP, IB, or Honors, to back it up.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
4.00 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.80 – 3.99
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.60 – 3.79
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.59
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Regular decision deadline is February 1; early action deadline is November 1.
- Letter of recommendation required (from a non-family source for homeschooled students); $65 non-refundable application fee.
- Top merit scholarships (e.g., Class of '40, Carson) involve a Candidate Weekend interview process.
- Operation Catapult, a selective pre-college summer program, offers a path to scholarship consideration and 2 hours of elective credit.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at RHIT
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at RHIT. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into RHIT Without SAT or ACT?
RHIT considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Average SAT Score: 1389
Admitted students at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology average a 1389 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1389 — Competitive
A 1389 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1470 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1280? A retake is worth it at RHIT. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 710 | 660 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 665 | 620 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1389 | 1280 | 1470 |
A score under 1280 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1470+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) with a 1450 SAT?
At 1450, your SAT is squarely in RHIT's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) ACT Requirements
RHIT's admitted students average an ACT of 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
RHIT's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 32 | 29 | 34 |
| ACT English | 31 | 26 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 29 | 34 |
Can I get into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a 34 ACT?
At 34, you're in the top quarter of RHIT's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, RHIT weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for RHIT
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
RHIT takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Attend Operation Catapult the summer before senior year if engineering is a serious interest
This selective pre-college summer program (requiring a year of chemistry or physics, a teacher/counselor recommendation, and first-come-first-served enrollment) puts you on campus with faculty and can lead to both scholarship consideration and two hours of free elective credit if you enroll at Rose-Hulman.
Target the November 1 early action deadline if you want the strongest scholarship shot
Top merit scholarships (Class of '40, Carson, and others) involve a Candidate Weekend interview process - applying early gives you more runway to be considered and scheduled for these before funds are allocated.
Submit a genuine letter of recommendation - it's required, not optional, here
Unlike many test-optional peer schools that also drop recommendation requirements, Rose-Hulman still requires one from a teacher, counselor, or principal (homeschooled students need someone outside the family) - make sure yours speaks to your work in a specific technical or analytical context.
If you're a woman or underrepresented student in CS/EE, ask specifically about the ROSE-BUD program
This program was built to attract and support talented female and underrepresented minority students in computer science and electrical/computer/software engineering through targeted scholarships - raise it directly with admissions if it fits your background.
Expert Insight:
Because Rose-Hulman is only moderately selective by the numbers (mid-70s% acceptance rate), some applicants assume the process is casual - but competitive merit scholarships involve a real Candidate Weekend interview process, so treat scholarship candidacy as its own competitive track, separate from general admission.
RHIT Profile
Full Name
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT)
City
Terre Haute
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
47803-3920
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a RHIT Degree Worth It?
At $74,226/year against a $101,253 median graduate salary, RHIT is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $67,700, and graduates see a 2.85% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from RHIT Cost?
Listed tuition runs $74,226/year at RHIT. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At RHIT, 11.7% receive a Pell Grant and 40.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming RHIT on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a RHIT Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, RHIT graduates report a median income of $101,253, about 149% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 1339 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
Degree Programs at RHIT
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About RHIT Admissions
Graduates of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology earn a high median salary of $101,253/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology runs high, at roughly $74,226+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
11.7% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is 72.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students is 4, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.7 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.6 or below makes admission tougher at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1389, and within the 1280–1470 range, keeps you competitive.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.