Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Ranked Among Most Inspired College Campuses

TROY, NY – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has built a campus community that fosters academic and career achievement while also building community, according to new rankings just released by Great Value Colleges.

Institutions were considered for this list if the environment on campus facilitates academic achievement, the facilities make it easier for students to realize academic and career success, and if the campus and facilities are not only beautiful but also practical. Only 50 colleges nationwide were ultimately recognized. Rensselaer is ranked No. 23 on the list.

A significant factor in the inclusion of Rensselaer is the Clustered Learning, Advocacy and Support for Students (CLASS) experience — an approach to mentoring, academic support, housing, and other activities focused on student success, career goals, and building connections. CLASS at Rensselaer includes the First-Year Experience and The Arch, a transformative program that provides undergraduate students with unique academic and professional opportunities.

The Great Value Colleges ranking is one of several recent recognitions for Rensselaer and its programs. For example, The Princeton Review included the Institute on its list of Best Value Colleges for 2020, and it listed the Lally School of Management among its Best Business Schools for 2020. Additionally, Rensselaer was recently ranked as one of the top 10 “national universities where grads are paid well” by U.S. News & World Report.

These recent rankings underscore the value of The New Polytechnic, the model for education and research, and the innovative, collaborative, and quality experience it provides students as they prepare to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s first technological research university. Rensselaer encompasses five schools, 32 research centers, more than 145 academic programs, and a dynamic community made up of more than 7,900 students and more than 100,000 living alumni. Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration.

Featured

  • Abstract tech network data connections with orange, blue glowing dots, lines

    3 Trends for Higher Education to Stay Ahead of in 2026

    As universities enter the new year, the question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary, but how quickly institutions can convert technological potential into strategic advantage.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • classroom with crystal ball on top of a desk

    Call for Opinions: Spaces4Learning 2026 Predictions for Educational Facilities

    As 2025 winds to a close, the Spaces4Learning staff is asking its readers—school administrators, architects, engineers, facilities managers, builders, superintendents, designers, vendors, and more—to send us their predictions for educational facilities in 2026.

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

Digital Edition