Worcester Polytechnic Institute
A good fit for students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $84,600 within 10 years; strong 90% graduation rate.
About This School
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts with approximately 5,447 undergraduate students enrolled. Worcester Polytechnic Institute has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 60%. The average net price after financial aid is $43,071 per year. The graduation rate is 90%, and the typical graduate earns $84,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degree programs. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
Strong option for students serious about STEM and engineering — 94% of freshmen return for sophomore year, and graduates earn a median of $84,600 a decade out, which holds up well against the $26,978 median debt load. The 59% acceptance rate means it's selective without being a long shot, and the project-based curriculum gives students real-world experience before graduation. The $43,273 annual net price is the main caution — make sure financial aid packaging works for your family, as that cost adds up quickly over four years.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 2% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Software and Media Applications ($95,430 vs $58,894 nationally), and most below it in Architectural Engineering ($85,112 vs $89,406).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 222 | $134,208 | $107,009 | +$27,199 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 211 | $97,308 | $92,135 | +$5,173 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 121 | $92,806 | $93,451 | −$645 |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 116 | $111,103 | $101,649 | +$9,454 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 77 | $109,386 | $100,647 | +$8,739 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 59 | $105,171 | $98,207 | +$6,964 |
| Chemical Engineering | 51 | $100,199 | $98,158 | +$2,041 |
| Civil Engineering | 35 | $93,417 | $86,517 | +$6,900 |
| Biology, General | 28 | $75,018 | $57,214 | +$17,804 |
| Architectural Engineering | 26 | $85,112 | $89,406 | −$4,294 |
| Industrial Engineering | 23 | $101,554 | $98,442 | +$3,112 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 18 | $95,430 | $58,894 | +$36,536 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,447 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has an acceptance rate of 60%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute hard to get into?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 60%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Worcester Polytechnic Institute cost?
The average net price at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is about $43,071 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has a graduation rate of 90%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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