Worcester Polytechnic Institute Acceptance Rate & Tuition
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving roughly 5,447 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 60.16% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $103,470 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $60,965
- 2024 Average Net Price: $43,071 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 60.16% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,447 97.9% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 89.71%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 13.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 82.8%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,976
- Applicants (IPEDS): 11,809
- Room & Board: $18,386 annual estimate
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: what the data shows
Common questions about Worcester Polytechnic Institute, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA (ZIP 01609-2280).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute public or private?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Worcester Polytechnic Institute cost?
Published tuition: $60,965.
Average net price after aid: $43,071.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $24,018 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $24,452 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $32,350 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $37,753 |
| $110,001+ | $49,716 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $243,860.
How hard is it to get into Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Admission rate: 60.16%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Total enrollment: 5,447 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,976 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,026 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
150%-time completion rate: 89.71%.
First-year retention: 93.7%.
What do graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn?
Median earnings: $85,038 six years after entry; $103,470 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
11.88% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Worcester Polytechnic Institute known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer Science (351 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (297 completions)
- Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering (235 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (175 completions)
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering (149 completions)
- Data Science, General (106 completions)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General (102 completions)
- Chemical Engineering (77 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (57 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (55 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 60.16%; completion rate 89.71%; median earnings $103,470 at 10 years; net price $43,071. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$60,965
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was $60,965.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$43,071
2024 Value
In 2024 Worcester Polytechnic Institute had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $43,071.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$172,284 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$43,071 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$243,860 4-Year Tuition
$18,386 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$80,551 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$322,204 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Financial Aid by Income Level
11.88% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
51.73% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Worcester Polytechnic Institute in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $42,778 | $42,778 | $35,483 |
| 2014 | $44,222 | $44,222 | $35,187 |
| 2015 | $45,590 | $45,590 | $37,002 |
| 2016 | $46,994 | $46,994 | $38,137 |
| 2017 | $48,628 | $48,628 | $40,376 |
| 2018 | $50,530 | $50,530 | $41,390 |
| 2019 | $52,320 | $52,320 | $39,756 |
| 2020 | $54,416 | $54,416 | $42,835 |
| 2021 | $55,731 | $55,731 | $45,005 |
| 2022 | $57,096 | $57,096 | $44,100 |
| 2023 | $59,070 | $59,070 | $43,273 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
60.16% Acceptance Rate
11,809 Total Applicants
6,908 Students Admitted
1,360 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.69% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Worcester Polytechnic Institute reported total enrollment of about 5,447 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 67% male and 33% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (64.2%), Asian (12.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.5%). About 11.88% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 13.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2024 is 5,447 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,976 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,026 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
93.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 64.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
84.45% 100% Completion Time
89.71% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 84.45% of students graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer Science: 80% male / 20% female
- Mechanical Engineering: 74% male / 26% female
- Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering: 81% male / 19% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$103,470 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
26.09% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
500.58% Return on Investment
2.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 55 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer Science: 351 completions
2. Mechanical Engineering: 297 completions
3. Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering: 235 completions
4. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 175 completions
5. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering: 149 completions
6. Data Science, General: 106 completions
7. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General: 102 completions
8. Chemical Engineering: 77 completions
9. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 57 completions
Most popular programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Worcester Polytechnic Institute from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 82.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,376
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $21,636
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private non-profit institution located in Worcester, MA, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering. Enrollment is approximately 5,447 students. Student body composition includes White (64.2%), Asian (12.6%), Hispanic or Latino (8.5%). The admission rate is 60.16%. The 150%-time completion rate is 89.71%. Approximately 11.88% of students receive Pell Grants. About 13.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 89.71% graduation rate, Worcester Polytechnic Institute demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $103,470 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 55 distinct degree programs, Worcester Polytechnic Institute provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Worcester Polytechnic Institute located?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA.
What is Worcester Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 60.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 11,809 applicants and 6,908 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Worcester Polytechnic Institute cost?
Reported tuition is $60,965 and average net price is $43,071 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,386 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,976 students, White (64.2%), Asian (12.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
About 13.4% of students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn?
Median earnings are $85,038 six years after entry and $103,470 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
The 150%-time completion rate is 89.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Worcester Polytechnic Institute students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute public or private?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, MA.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute an HBCU?
No. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute a tribal college?
No. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute does not meet that proxy (reported share 8.5%).
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- Worcester, Massachusetts city profile
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.