Head-to-Head Comparison
George Washington University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- George Washington Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 16
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, George Washington University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Worcester Polytechnic Institute achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,071 compared to George Washington University's $36,586. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, George Washington University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
George Washington
- Lower cost: Average net price of $36,586, roughly $6,485 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,449, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 47% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than George Washington University
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
George Washington graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Worcester Polytechnic in Engineering (58%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over George Washington University. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $90,873.
Pick George Washington University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $36,586 vs $43,071.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over George Washington University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over George Washington University. 89% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
George Washington University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
George Washington University is the harder admit. It takes 47% of applicants, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, George Washington University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, George Washington University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $36,586, about $6,485 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071. Graduates of George Washington University also borrow less: median debt of $20,449, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,940 before any change in aid. Choosing George Washington University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $103,470, compared with $90,873 at George Washington University. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, George Washington University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Worcester Polytechnic Institute does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at George Washington University, it is 2.2%. George Washington University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick George Washington University to keep costs and debt down; pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. George Washington University saves about $6,485 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $12,597 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
George Washington University is harder to get into, with a 47% admit rate, but Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. George Washington University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of George Washington University's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: George Washington University's enrollment of 11,182 far exceeds Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 5,447.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,071 runs well above George Washington University's $36,586.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $20,449 at George Washington University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and George Washington University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
George Washington holds onto its admits more tightly: 19% of admitted students enroll, versus 9% at Worcester Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Worcester Polytechnic, where only about 16% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
George Washington University reports a striking graduation rate of 85%. This figure reflects the university's commitment to student success and its supportive academic environment. With a significant portion of students completing their degrees, GWU stands out for those seeking reliable pathways to graduation.
The earnings potential for graduates is compelling. Alumni earn an average of $90,873 within ten years of graduation. This income level positions graduates well within the job market, contributing to long-term financial stability. Although specific mobility data is not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are likely to improve their economic circumstances through their education at GWU.
The net price for attending George Washington University is $36,586, with a median debt of $20,449. This balance makes it an appealing choice for students who can manage costs while aiming for solid post-graduate earnings. GWU attracts those interested in fields like social sciences, health professions, and business, where graduates find ample opportunities to thrive in Washington, D.C.'s dynamic job market.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit
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 They Appear On
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
George Washington's top program is Sociology (33% of enrollment), while Worcester Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (58%).
George Washington
Worcester Polytechnic
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for George Washington) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. George Washington University is strongest in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
George Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into George Washington University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
George Washington University is harder to get into, admitting 47% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, George Washington University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
George Washington University is more affordable, with an average net price of $36,586 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do George Washington University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,873 at George Washington University.
Which has a better graduation rate, George Washington University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 85%.
George Washington University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose George Washington University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose George Washington University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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