Head-to-Head Comparison
Loyola University Maryland vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Loyola Maryland Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 14
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Loyola University Maryland offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Worcester Polytechnic Institute achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 80%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,071 compared to Loyola University Maryland's $30,574. Students who choose Loyola University Maryland benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,652 at ten years.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Loyola Maryland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $30,574, roughly $12,497 a year less
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than Loyola University Maryland
- 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
- More selective: Admits 60% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Loyola Maryland graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (32% 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 Loyola University Maryland. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $82,652.
Pick Loyola University Maryland over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $30,574 vs $43,071.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Loyola University Maryland. 2.2% mobility rate vs 0.7%.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Loyola University Maryland. 89% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Loyola University Maryland and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but Worcester Polytechnic Institute wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the harder admit. It takes 60% of applicants, while Loyola University Maryland takes 75%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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, Loyola University Maryland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $30,574, about $12,497 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $49,988 before any change in aid. Choosing Loyola University Maryland 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 $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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 Loyola University Maryland, it is 0.7%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.7%.
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 Loyola University Maryland 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. Loyola University Maryland saves about $12,497 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $20,818 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Loyola University Maryland concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, 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 Loyola University Maryland's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,071 runs well above Loyola University Maryland's $30,574.
- Business and consulting-track students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and Loyola University Maryland offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Loyola Maryland holds onto its admits more tightly: 12% of admitted students enroll, versus 9% at Worcester Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Loyola Maryland (41.8% Early Decision admit rate vs 19.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 3 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, Loyola University Maryland caters to those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. The 75% acceptance rate suggests that the school aims to welcome a diverse group of students, which contributes to a vibrant campus life. Popular areas of study include Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing students to explore various fields while preparing for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect a solid financial outlook, with a median earnings figure of $82,652 after ten years. This is encouraging and indicates that many graduates find good opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability factor is also important; with a net price of $30,574, students can weigh the cost of their education against potential earnings, making it a reasonable investment for many.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Loyola, the average debt load of $27,000 is relatively manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The school attracts a mix of students, including those who are determined to succeed and take advantage of the supportive community. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many students find their footing here and go on to thrive in their careers.
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
Loyola University Maryland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Loyola Maryland's top program is Business Administration (32% of enrollment), while Worcester Polytechnic leads with Mechanical Engineering (58%).
Loyola Maryland
Worcester Polytechnic
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Loyola Maryland) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Loyola University Maryland is strongest in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in Engineering, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Loyola University Maryland or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is harder to get into, admitting 60% of applicants compared with 75% at Loyola University Maryland.
Which is more affordable, Loyola University Maryland or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Loyola University Maryland is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,574 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do Loyola University Maryland or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Loyola University Maryland or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 80%.
Loyola University Maryland 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 0.7%.
Should you choose Loyola University Maryland or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Loyola University Maryland 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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