Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement & Academic Regalia Overview

RPI requires all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree candidates to purchase their commencement regalia — cap, gown, hood, and tassel — via the official Rensselaer Collegiate Store by the published deadline each year. Doctoral candidates have a separate doctoral‑level regalia set, which may be rented or purchased.

The undergraduate (Bachelor) and Master regalia packages differ: the Master’s gown features longer sleeves and a larger hood (with wider discoloring indicating major) compared to the Bachelor gown. For doctoral graduates, RPI provides specialized regalia (velvet‑trimmed gown and appropriate hood/tam) available via rental or purchase.

RPI’s regalia are produced sustainably: the standard Bachelor and Master gowns (used since at least 2014) are made from 100% post‑consumer recycled plastic bottle pellets under the “GreenWeaver” line.

When ordering, graduates specify their major — a detail that determines the correct hood‑lining or major‑color trim for their field of study. However, RPI does **not** publicly provide a widely accessible color‑chart for hood or tassel colors by discipline on its publicly navigable pages.

In summary: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute enforces a structured, degree‑level–specific academic regalia system. All graduates must order their cap, gown, hood, and tassel through the Collegiate Store. The regalia varies by degree level — Bachelor, Master, Doctoral — with gown style, hood size, and likely hood‑lining/major trim varying accordingly. Regalia materials follow sustainable manufacturing standards. There is no clearly public discipline‑color chart for hood/tassel colors accessible externally; color coding is managed internally based on entered major information during purchase.

• Mortarboard cap, academic gown, hood, and tassel — required attire for RPI commencement participants.
• Degree‑specific regalia packages — select Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral set depending on credential level.
• Sustainably produced gown material — made from 100% recycled plastic bottle fibers (GreenWeaver line) for eco‑conscious commencement attire.
• Major‑aligned hood lining/trim — specify your major during order to ensure correct discipline‑color hood or trim, as managed by RPI’s store.
• Doctoral regalia available for purchase or rental — includes appropriate gown, hood and tam when ordered in advance.
• Ceremony and photo ready — ideal for graduation stage walk, diploma presentation, class photos, and long‑term keepsake use.
• Universal compatibility — works for undergraduates, graduate students, and doctoral candidates across all majors at RPI.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.