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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.
Located in Worcester, MA and set in an urban environment, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private university. It has an acceptance rate of 60%. The freshman retention rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 94% and the six-year graduation rate is 90%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is June 10.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Quick Facts
5,558
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$61,790
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
90%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Here are the most important data you need to know about admission at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 7,555 in 2025. Worcester Polytechnic Institute has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
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 application deadline for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is February 1. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is June 10.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute was 94% in 2025, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 90%, 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 better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 7,584 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 51% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 5,558, 349 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 76 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,282 male and 2,093 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing 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 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 688, while the number of Black American students was 147. 464 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 197 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 97 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Worcester Polytechnic Institute estimated tuition costs.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $61,790 in 2025. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,256 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was $18,900 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $10,200, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,200.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 61,790 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,900 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 81,890 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for completing your studies. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 798 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $37,984 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,845 students gained 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 amounted to 2,855. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $4,398,143, and state $1,618,550. The students of Worcester Polytechnic Institute received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $85,357,955, and external in the amount of $4,257,277.
$22,149
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
607 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 253 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $57,900,457. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $8,044,790 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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.
In 2025, this ratio at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 635 faculty members. This number included 408 male and 227 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Its campus spans 95 acres.
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. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 22 and female students 27. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Performing Arts groups, followed by Intramural and Club Sports and Interfraternity Council. Other popular organizations among the students 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 those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. Interested in 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 needed for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 80,294 USD.
$80,294
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 61,790 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 60%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 94%.
Contact Information
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.
