Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Georgetown Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 17
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgetown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,815 vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071, Georgetown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Georgetown 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
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 0% more than Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,815, roughly $2,256 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Worcester Polytechnic
- 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?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% 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 Georgetown University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $103,470.
Pick Georgetown University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $40,815 vs $43,071.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Georgetown University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgetown University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown 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, Georgetown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,815, about $2,256 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,024 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgetown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $103,470 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 0% 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
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 89%. 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 Georgetown University, it is 1.9%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% 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 Georgetown University to keep costs and debt down; pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Georgetown University is harder to get into, with a 13% 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. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, 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 Georgetown University's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 9% at Worcester Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Worcester Polytechnic offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
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
Georgetown University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs, Georgetown University ranks #9 — Georgetown University outranks Worcester Polytechnic Institute by 2 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while Worcester Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (58%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, 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.
Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Georgetown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,815 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do Georgetown University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $103,470 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Georgetown 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 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgetown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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