Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

(Rose-Hulman)

Terre Haute, INPrivateEngineeringNCAA D3Admissions

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a small, private engineering college in Terre Haute, Indiana, consistently ranked the number one undergraduate engineering school among institutions that do not offer doctoral programs. Its exceptional teaching focus, small class sizes, and hands-on curriculum produce engineers who are highly sought after by employers.

Mascot: Fightin' Engineer

Notable Alumni

Abe Silverstein (oversaw Apollo 11 at NASA)Marshall Goldsmith (bestselling leadership author)Niles Noblitt (co-founder of Biomet)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
77%
SAT (Optional)
1280–1470
Avg GPA
3.95
Enrollment
2.1K
Setting
Small City
Founded
1874

Cost

Tuition$58K
Room & Board$17K
Est. Annual Total$76K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

#1 undergraduate engineering (non-PhD)
Exceptional teaching focus
Small class sizes

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 3
Conference
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Quiet
Academic Pressure
Intense
Greek Life
Moderate
Campus Beauty
Attractive

Rose-Hulman's engineering-focused curriculum is among the most demanding in the country, consistently ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering. About 29% join Greek organizations, which provide both social outlets and academic support networks. The campus in Terre Haute, Indiana is isolated, so the close-knit community becomes your world, and the collaborative but demanding culture is the defining student experience.

A well-maintained 200-acre campus in Terre Haute with a mix of traditional brick and modern engineering buildings, pleasant grounds with a lake but architecturally unremarkable.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetyVery Safe

Extremely low campus crime with minimal incidents reported annually. The small, close-knit engineering school has public safety officers and a strong honor code culture.

Neighborhood SafetyModerate

Terre Haute has above-average crime rates for its size. However, Rose-Hulman's campus is on the east side of town, somewhat removed from the higher-crime areas.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Monday-Friday daily; includes admissions session, tour, and lunch when available

Duration: ~2-3 hours (session + tour + lunch)

Daily visits include admissions session, campus tour, and lunch. Contact admis.ofc@rose-hulman.edu or (812) 877-1511 for scheduling. Group visits available via request form.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

Visitors can walk the campus independently. Key landmarks include Speed Lake, Moench Hall with its historic plaques, the Flame of the Millennium, and Hatfield Hall performance venue.

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Walk around Speed Lake on campus -- it's a peaceful centerpiece with public art installations along the shore that most visitors pass quickly but students treat as their favorite hangout spot.
Ask about the engineering culture: Rose-Hulman has been ranked #1 undergraduate engineering program (schools without PhDs) by US News for 25+ consecutive years. The student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 means professors know everyone by name.
Ride or walk the National Road Heritage Trail, which runs right next to campus -- it's a paved trail perfect for a quick break between campus activities, and it connects to Terre Haute's park system.
Check out Griffin Bike Park nearby for off-road mountain biking -- it's an award-winning park that students use for stress relief. Deming Park, also close by, has beautiful walking trails and a lake.
Best Time to Visit

September-October for pleasant Indiana weather and active campus. April for admitted student events. The campus is small and intimate, so weekday visits during the academic year give the best feel for student life. Avoid late May-August when campus is very quiet.

Getting There

Free visitor parking lot on campus -- enter campus and turn left at the end of the main drive. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is 60 minutes east via I-70. Take I-70W to Exit 11 (IN-46), right on US-40, left into campus. No public transit from the airport -- rent a car. Uber/Lyft are unreliable in Terre Haute.

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