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Palaiseau, France

Ecole Polytechnique

#65 QS World RankingPublicEurope

QS World Ranking

#65

Acceptance Rate

15%

Annual Tuition (USD)

$13,000

On-Campus Housing

Available

QS Best Student City

#10

Paris

Application Deadline

March 31

via Direct

Student Body

Total Enrollment

3,000

students

International Students

28%

US % data not publicly reported

Figures are approximate based on institutional reports and QS data.

Why This School

France's most elite engineering school, founded by Napoleon, producing world-class scientists and engineers.

QS Subject Rankings 2025

Rankings by academic subject — source: QS World University Rankings by Subject

#15Physics & Astronomy#22Mathematics#34Engineering & Technology

Notes for US Students

Bachelor's program taught in English. One of France's elite Grandes Écoles. Very competitive.

Admission Criteria

Key requirements for US students applying to Ecole Polytechnique

Acceptance Rate

15%

Highly selective

Application System

Direct

Deadline

March 31

Instruction Language

English/French

School Type

Public

Annual Tuition

$13,000

Requirements Checklist for US Applicants

  • Apply directly to Polytechnique by January
  • SAT 1500+ or ACT 34+ or IB 40+ (extremely competitive)
  • IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+ (Bachelor program is taught in English)
  • Strong STEM background: advanced math, physics, chemistry
  • Personal statement and motivation letter required
  • Selective review process — approximately 200 international spots per year

Class Size

Avg. Lecture60 students
Avg. Seminar15 students
Student : Faculty6:1

Academic Calendar

SystemSemester (2/yr)
Fall TermEarly SeptemberLate January
Spring TermEarly FebruaryLate June
BreaksDec–Jan, Jul–Aug

Highly structured curriculum with limited elective flexibility.

Requirements may vary by program. Always verify with the university's official admissions page.

Admission Details

Language of Instruction
English/French
Estimated Annual Tuition
~$13,000 / year
Application Deadline
March 31
Application System
Direct
School Type
Public
Acceptance Rate
15%
QS Best Student City (Paris)
#10 globally

Programs Offered

EngineeringSciencesComputer ScienceApplied MathematicsPhysics

Scholarships to Explore

  • Merit-based
  • French government grants

Cost of Living — Palaiseau, France

Moderate Cost
Rent (1BR near campus)$800/mo
Groceries & dining$280/mo
Transportation$90/mo
Misc (phone, entertainment)$200/mo

Estimated monthly total

$1,370

vs. avg US college student

28% cheaper

US avg ~$1,900/mo

Palaiseau is a suburb south of Paris with lower rents. On-campus housing available. Paris accessible by RER B train.

Estimates based on 2025–26 student budgets. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and housing choice.

About Studying at Ecole Polytechnique as a US Student

Ecole Polytechnique is located in Palaiseau, France and is ranked #65in the QS World University Rankings. The school offers programs in Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics. Instruction is offered in English/French. The estimated annual tuition for international students is ~$13,000 / year, with an acceptance rate of approximately 15%. Applications are submitted through Direct with a deadline of March 31. Scholarships available include the Merit-based.