Head-to-Head Comparison
University of San Francisco vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- San Francisco Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 18
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of San Francisco offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Worcester Polytechnic Institute achieves a higher graduation rate (89% vs 71%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,071 compared to University of San Francisco's $41,431. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of San Francisco'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
San Francisco
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,431, roughly $1,640 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Worcester Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than University of San Francisco
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
San Francisco graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (18% 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 University of San Francisco. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $89,812.
Pick University of San Francisco over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Net price $41,431 vs $43,071.
Pick University of San Francisco over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 2.7% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over University of San Francisco. 89% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of San Francisco 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
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the harder admit. It takes 60% of applicants, while University of San Francisco takes 62%.
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, University of San Francisco comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,431, about $1,640 a year below Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,560 before any change in aid. Choosing University of San Francisco 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 $89,812 at University of San Francisco. That is a 15% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 19% 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
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, it is 2.2%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco 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 University of San Francisco 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. University of San Francisco saves about $1,640 a year, yet Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $13,658 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is harder to get into, with a 60% admit rate, but University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of San Francisco concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, 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 University of San Francisco's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $23,000 at University of San Francisco.
- Business and consulting-track students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Worcester Polytechnic holds onto its admits more tightly: 9% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at San Francisco (49.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 19.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. 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
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand 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
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
San Francisco's top program is Business Administration (18% 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 San Francisco) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of San Francisco is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Social Sciences, 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.
San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of San Francisco or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is harder to get into, admitting 60% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, University of San Francisco or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
University of San Francisco is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,431 after aid versus $43,071 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Do University of San Francisco or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,812 at University of San Francisco.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of San Francisco or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 71%.
University of San Francisco vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose University of San Francisco or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of San Francisco 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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