More Than 625 New Students Arrive at Rose-Hulman as Renovated Speed Hall Reopens
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology welcomed more than 625 new students to campus Friday, August 28, as the college begins the 2026-27 academic year with another strong incoming class.
The incoming class includes 613 first-year students and 16 transfer students. This marks only the fifth time in Rose-Hulman’s 152-year history that an entering first-year class has exceeded 600 students, and the fourth time in the past six years, reflecting continued strong demand for an education at one of the nation’s top-ranked STEM colleges.
The incoming class represents 41 states, Puerto Rico, overseas American military bases, and 27 countries outside the United States. The Class of 2030 has a median high school grade-point average of 4.06, with a median SAT score of 1,380 and ACT score of 30. Its students graduated from 509 different high schools.
“This is an exceptionally talented class that reflects the continued strength of Rose-Hulman and the value students and families place on our distinctive educational experience,” said President Robert A. Coons. “We are pleased to have exceeded our enrollment target while welcoming students with outstanding academic preparation and an enthusiasm for learning, discovery, and collaboration. Our faculty and staff look forward to providing the personal attention, hands-on opportunities, and close-knit community that will help each student thrive.”
This year’s arrival also marks the reopening of Speed Hall following a major renovation of the first-year residence hall, which has served generations of Rose-Hulman students since 1963. Supported by two generous gifts, the $10 million project modernized Speed Hall with central air conditioning, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, expanded common areas, and improved accessibility. The building was closed throughout the 2025-26 academic year while construction was completed.
The project is part of the college’s broader investment in student housing. A new $31.5 million, four-story residence hall opened in fall 2025. Together, the two projects have expanded and enhanced first-year housing at a time of sustained enrollment demand.
Rose-Hulman enters the new academic year after being ranked the nation’s No. 1 college for undergraduate engineering education for the 27th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.
The college also earned recognition across a variety of student-experience and outcomes categories in The Princeton Review’s Best 392 Colleges for 2027. Rose-Hulman ranked No. 7 nationally for Best Career Services, No. 8 for Best-Run Colleges, No. 14 for Best Science Lab Facilities, and No. 20 for Best Residence Halls, among other rankings.
New federal data provides further evidence of the value of a Rose-Hulman education. According to an earnings indicator published by the U.S. Department of Education, Rose-Hulman graduates earn a median salary of $105,649 four years after graduation—the highest among all colleges and universities in Indiana and among the highest early-career earnings nationally.
This year’s first-year students also arrive as Rose-Hulman continues to expand academic opportunities in emerging areas of science and technology. New and recently introduced offerings include a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence, a clean energy minor, a certification in quantum science, computing, and engineering, and a redesigned computer science major featuring pathways and specializations in high-demand areas, including AI, cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering.
Construction also continues on the first major building in Rose-Hulman’s approximately $102 million Innovation Grove district. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the 35,000-square-foot facility will house Rose-Hulman Ventures along with spaces supporting engineering design and prototyping, STEM and robotics education, entrepreneurship, and community activities.
New student orientation continues through Wednesday, September 2, with fall-quarter classes beginning Thursday, September 3.
Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2027 admission at www.rose-hulman.edu/apply. The nonbinding Early Action deadline is November 1, 2026.
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