Head-to-Head Comparison
Stevens Institute of Technology vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Stevens Technology Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 15
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Stevens Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Worcester Polytechnic Institute achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,071 compared to Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346. Students who choose Stevens Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $108,772 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Stevens Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,346, roughly $1,725 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 4.3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Worcester Polytechnic
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Stevens Technology graduates concentrate in Engineering (45% 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 Stevens Institute of Technology over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment vs $103,470.
Pick Stevens Institute of Technology over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $41,346 vs $43,071.
Pick Stevens Institute of Technology over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 4.3% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Stevens Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but Stevens Institute of Technology 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
Stevens Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 48% of applicants, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Stevens Institute of Technology 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, Stevens Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,346, about $1,725 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,900 before any change in aid. Choosing Stevens Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Stevens Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $108,772, compared with $103,470 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Stevens Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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.
Moving people up
Stevens Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 4.3%; at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, it is 2.2%. Stevens Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Stevens Institute of Technology 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 Stevens Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Stevens Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Stevens Technology holds onto its admits more tightly: 21% 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; Stevens Technology 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofit
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, is a great fit for students who are driven by a passion for technology and innovation. With 4,222 enrolled students and an acceptance rate of 48%, it attracts individuals looking for a solid education in fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and the Arts. One standout aspect is the school's high graduation rate of 88%, which speaks volumes about student support and engagement throughout their academic journey.
After graduation, students from Stevens can expect impressive earning potential, with an average salary of $108,772 within ten years of completing their degree. This financial success reflects the value of a degree from Stevens, especially in high-demand areas like engineering and tech. The cost of attendance can be manageable, particularly when considering the school’s financial aid options, though it's important to weigh the net price against potential earnings.
When looking at the practical aspects of attending Stevens, the net price after aid stands at $41,346, which means students should prepare for a significant investment. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $27,000. The environment here tends to be ideal for those who are eager to engage with their studies and are committed to making the most of their college experience. This is a community that thrives on ambition and collaboration, setting students up for success both during and after their time at Stevens.
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
Stevens Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs, Stevens Institute of Technology ranks #5 — Stevens Institute of Technology outranks Worcester Polytechnic Institute by 6 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 45% of Stevens Technology's student body and 58% of Worcester Polytechnic's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Stevens Technology) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Stevens Institute of Technology is strongest in Business & Marketing, Mathematics & Statistics, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in 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 Stevens Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Stevens Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Stevens Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Stevens Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,346 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do Stevens Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $103,470 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which has a better graduation rate, Stevens Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 88%.
Stevens Institute of Technology vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
Stevens Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 4.3% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose Stevens Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Stevens Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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