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Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a renowned private research institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Established in 1865, WPI has been a pioneer in technological education with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. The university is globally recognized for its cutting-edge research programs, practical approach to education, and its commitment to preparing graduates for successful careers in a rapidly changing world.
At WPI, students are immersed in a transformative educational experience that combines rigorous academics with real-world applications. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across various disciplines, including engineering, science, business, social sciences, and humanities. One distinguishing feature of WPI's curriculum is the mandatory interactive and project-based IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project) and MQP (Major Qualifying Project), which provide students with the opportunity to tackle real-world problems and address global challenges through research, innovation, and teamwork.
WPI boasts a vibrant and inclusive campus community, with students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The university places a strong emphasis on fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. With state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research centers, and close collaborations with industry partners, WPI offers students numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful research, internships, and co-op experiences, preparing them for a successful transition into their chosen professions. With its strong commitment to experiential learning, innovative research, and global engagement, Worcester Polytechnic Institute continues to shape the future by empowering individuals to make a positive impact on society.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private university located in Worcester, MA and set in a suburban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 58%. The freshman retention rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 94% and the six-year graduation rate is 88%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is February 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 30.
To find out more about what Worcester Polytechnic Institute has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
5,453
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
58%
Acceptance Rate
$59,700
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Read on to learn some relevant data about admission policy and requirements at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
In 2024, the school accepted 6,908 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned school with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.9. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to this school is February 1. If you are thinking about applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is May 30.
58%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute was 94%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution enrolled 7,353 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 52. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 5,453, 355 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 79 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,039 male and 2,158 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 573 full-time graduate male and 283 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 677, and the number of African American students was 152. 446 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 192 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 55 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Worcester Polytechnic Institute estimated tuition fees.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $59,700 for all full-time domestic students. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,065 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was $17,906 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 amounted to $10,000 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,000.
| Tuition | $ 59,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,906 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 78,806 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
According to the most recent data, 715 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $35,570.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
2,676 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,692. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $3,264,725, and state $1,403,800. The students of Worcester Polytechnic Institute received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $74,100,153, and external in the amount of $4,154,885.
$21,018
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 590 students overall (including freshmen) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 212 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $53,790,160. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $7,252,892 USD.
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 567 faculty members. This number included 392 men and 206 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Worcester Polytechnic Institute: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Its campus is 95 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 235 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 25 and female students 27. The most popular student organization is Performing Arts groups, followed by Intramural and Club Sports and Interfraternity Council. Other popular organizations at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are Panhellenic and Student Government Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Worcester Polytechnic Institute band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? Worcester Polytechnic Institute publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has a number of services crucial for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Career Counselling
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 74,507 USD.
$74,507
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 59,700 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 58%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 94%.
Contact Information
Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA
01609-2280
508 831-5000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.