Head-to-Head Comparison
Villanova University vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Villanova Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 15
- Worcester Polytechnic Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Villanova University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,756 compared to Worcester Polytechnic Institute's $43,071 for in-state paths. Students who choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $103,470 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Villanova
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,874, the lower of the two
- 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, 3% more than Villanova University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $43,071, roughly $685 a year less
- 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?
Villanova graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% 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 Villanova University. Median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment vs $100,423.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Villanova University. Net price $43,071 vs $43,756.
Pick Worcester Polytechnic Institute over Villanova University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Pick Villanova University over Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 92% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Villanova University 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
Villanova University 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, Villanova 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $43,071, about $685 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of Villanova University also borrow less: median debt of $25,874, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $2,740 before any change in aid. Choosing Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 $100,423 at Villanova University. That is a 3% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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 Villanova University, it is 1.3%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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
Villanova University is harder to get into, with a 27% 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. Villanova University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute leans toward 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 Villanova University's enrollment, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Worcester Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Villanova holds onto its admits more tightly: 28% 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 Villanova (54.2% 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 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
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
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
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Villanova's top program is Business Administration (23% 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 Villanova) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Worcester Polytechnic).
The two schools feed different job markets. Villanova University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Health Professions, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute concentrates in 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.
Villanova
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Villanova University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Villanova University is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Villanova University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is more affordable, with an average net price of $43,071 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do Villanova University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,470 ten years after enrollment, versus $100,423 at Villanova University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Villanova University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 89%.
Villanova 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 1.3%.
Should you choose Villanova University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Worcester Polytechnic Institute if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova University if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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