Head-to-Head Comparison
The University of Texas at Austin vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Texas Austin Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 16
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, The University of Texas at Austin'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
Texas Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $19,857, roughly $23,214 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 27% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 38% more than The University of Texas at Austin
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Texas Austin graduates concentrate in Engineering (10% 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 The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $19,857 vs $43,071.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 2.2% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
The University of Texas at Austin and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are close on paper, but The University of Texas at Austin 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
The University of Texas at Austin is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes 60%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, The University of Texas at Austin 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, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $19,857, about $23,214 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071. Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin also borrow less: median debt of $20,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $92,856 before any change in aid. Choosing The University of Texas at Austin 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 $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 38% advantage. Set against borrowing, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 38% 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
The University of Texas at Austin does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, it is 2.2%. The University of Texas at Austin also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin 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. The University of Texas at Austin saves about $23,214 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $28,349 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. The University of Texas at Austin concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward Computer Science & IT. 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 The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 5,447.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,071 runs well above The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Texas Austin holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% 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; Texas Austin does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
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
The University of Texas at Austin is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 10% of Texas Austin'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 Texas Austin) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. The University of Texas at Austin is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into The University of Texas at Austin or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
The University of Texas at Austin is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, The University of Texas at Austin or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
The University of Texas at Austin is more affordable, with an average net price of $19,857 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do The University of Texas at Austin or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, The University of Texas at Austin or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 88%.
The University of Texas at Austin vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
The University of Texas at Austin is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose The University of Texas at Austin or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose The University of Texas at Austin 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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