Worcester Polytechnic Institute
#3 Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 89% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $103,470 A+
- Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $43,071 F
- 151% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 60% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,471,726.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 154% more than the national college median.
-
A 89% graduation rate — 56% above the national average.
-
Inventor rate in the top 4% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
Social mobility rate of 2.18% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 6.8%
- Top 4%
- Patents
- 164
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 185
- Downstream influence
Why Worcester Polytechnic Institute Matters
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Worcester, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 5,447
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 60% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $43,071 a year after grants and scholarships — 151% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $103,470 ten years after enrolling — 154% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 23% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, nearly 5,500 students engage deeply in hands-on learning, particularly in engineering, computer science, biology, and the arts. With a 60% acceptance rate, it attracts a diverse group of learners who thrive in a practical, project-oriented environment. The school's commitment to experiential education stands out, offering students opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, which is crucial for those aiming to bridge theory and practice.
Looking beyond graduation, WPI graduates can expect solid financial returns, with a median earnings figure of $103,470 just ten years after earning their degree. This kind of earning potential is significant, especially considering the school's 89% graduation rate, which suggests that most students not only complete their degrees but also move into well-paying jobs. Affordability is a factor too; with a net price of $43,071 after aid, many students find that the investment pays off in their career trajectories.
When it comes to the financial bottom line, WPI students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, a manageable amount considering their earning potential. This is particularly relevant for those who are mindful of their financial future. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are driven, curious, and ready to tackle challenges head-on in a collaborative atmosphere. Overall, WPI is a solid choice for students looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields while achieving strong financial outcomes.
Rankings
- #3 Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- #11 Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs
- #11 Highest-Paying Online Master's Programs
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Highest-Paying Colleges for Engineering
- #17 Highest-Paying Colleges for Mechanical Engineering
Can I Get In?
How selective Worcester Polytechnic Institute is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Retention Rate
- 94%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,376
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 11,599
- Admitted
- 6,667
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is $60,965, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $43,071. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $60,965
- Out-of-State
- $60,965
- Avg Net Price
- $43,071
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,018
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,452
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $32,350
- Family Income $110K+
- $49,716
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $103,470, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $85,038
- 8 Years
- $100,553
- 10 Years
- $103,470
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 90%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (856)
- 81%
- 100% (856)
- 81%
- 100% (856)
- 81%
- 100% (856)
- 81%
How Worcester Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Worcester Polytechnic Institute delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $43,071/year ($172,284 total). Graduates earn $103,470 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,644,010 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,471,726 (15.3× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 89% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $172,284
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,644,010
- Net Return
- $2,471,726
- ROI Multiple
- 15.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $43,071
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 89%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Worcester Polytechnic Institute Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 67.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 67.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $109,500
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 4% of U.S. colleges, with 164 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 6.80%
- Top 4% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 164
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 185
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 3.03%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-31,466,000
Top Programs
The fields Worcester Polytechnic Institute awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Engineering 58%
- Computer Science & IT 22%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Physical Sciences 2%
- Business & Marketing 2%
- Mathematics & Statistics 2%
- Psychology 0%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Worcester Polytechnic Institute's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is $60,965, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $43,071. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $103,470, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Worcester Polytechnic Institute Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 67.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY · Close peer83% grad $102,051 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA · Close peer88% grad $109,183 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Close peer71% grad $89,812 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO · Close peer81% grad $97,335 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · Close peer83% grad $86,522 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ · Close peer88% grad $108,772 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note