Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts · Private Nonprofit · 60.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Worcester Polytechnic Institute scores 90 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale, an unusual achievement for a private nonprofit with $60,965 sticker tuition and a $43,071 net price. The score is driven by institutional outcomes that are exceptional across every dimension: a 96.4% repayment rate (sub-score 100 - maximum score), a 4.6-year payback period, an 89.7% completion rate, and $66,300 average 6-year earnings rising to a median $103,470 at 10 years. The repayment rate of 96.4% indicates that virtually all WPI borrowers are successfully reducing their loan principal. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges. Admission rate is 60.2% - moderately selective. Enrollment is 5,447. Pell grant rate of 11.9% reflects a predominantly middle-to-upper income student body. Every graded program in the Scorecard data earns B+ or B. Computer Science leads with $93,888 year-one (222 grads, ratio 0.288), followed by Mechatronics/Robotics ($85,340 yr1, 116 grads), Biomedical Engineering ($78,283 yr1, 121 grads), and Mechanical Engineering ($78,182 yr1, 211 grads). The WPI project-based curriculum model (no traditional exams in many courses) produces graduates who are employment-ready on arrival.
The median graduate earns $103,470 ten years after entry - well above the roughly $53,600 median across the schools we score.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $60,965/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $60,965/yr |
| Average net price | $43,071/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $172,284 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $103,470 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $66,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 89.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,447 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $60,965/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $43,071/year, or roughly $172,284 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $24,018/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $49,716/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $27,000, which works out to about $286 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($66,300) and comes to 0.41, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $24,018 per year at WPI. At $24,018 annually against $66,300 average 6-year earnings, the payback math for low-income WPI graduates is compelling: debt-to-earnings of 0.407 and a 4.6-year payback period mean most borrowers recoup the education investment rapidly. The 96.4% repayment rate confirms this - low-income WPI graduates are well-positioned borrowers.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30001-48000 bracket pays $24,452 and the 48001-75000 bracket pays $32,350. At $32,350 per year, middle-income families face a significant sticker shock, but the financial outcomes justify the investment for students entering engineering, CS, or robotics programs. The 4.6-year payback and $103,470 10-year median earnings mean WPI graduates at these net prices break even well before mid-career. Program choice matters: CS and ME graduates hit these trajectories; Biology graduates need additional graduate credentialing to reach the same outcome.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 75001-110000 bracket pays $37,753 and the 110001-plus bracket pays $49,716. The 90 ROI score is sustained even at this price level because the earnings outcomes are calibrated against debt ($27,000 median), not sticker cost - reflecting WPI's aid model. High-income families who pay more out of pocket still see strong graduates outcomes, but should understand that the ROI score reflects median borrowers, not necessarily families paying $200k over four years.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $134,208 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,308 | B+ |
| Biomedical Engineering | $92,806 | B+ |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | $111,103 | B+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $109,386 | B+ |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $105,171 | B |
| Chemical Engineering | $100,199 | B+ |
| Civil Engineering | $93,417 | B |
| Biology | $75,018 | C+ |
| Architectural Engineering | $85,112 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (222 graduates) earns a B+ grade: $93,888 year-one and $134,208 year-four with $27,000 in median debt and a ratio of 0.288. Year-one earnings are $94k for CS graduates, reflecting WPI's strong employer relationships and the project-based portfolio graduates bring to job searches. The four-year trajectory to $134k confirms sustained compensation growth. The ratio of 0.288 - debt is less than 30% of annual earnings.
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering (116 graduates) earns a B+ grade: $85,340 year-one and $111,103 year-four with $27,000 in median debt and a ratio of 0.316. Year-one earnings of $85k reflect strong demand in automation, defense, and robotics sectors in the Northeast. The four-year figure of $111k shows that early-career trajectory in this field rewards WPI's project-based specialization.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering (121 graduates) earns a B+ grade: $78,283 year-one and $92,806 year-four with $27,000 in median debt and a ratio of 0.345. WPI's biomedical program benefits from proximity to Boston's medical device and biopharma clusters. Year-one earnings of $78k are above national medians for BME graduates. The four-year figure of $93k reflects steady advancement in device engineering, regulatory affairs, and clinical technology roles. The Scorecard window likely undercounts outcomes for the subset who pursue graduate or medical school.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (211 graduates) earns a B+ grade: $78,182 year-one and $97,308 year-four with $27,000 in median debt and a ratio of 0.345. This is the second-largest program by graduate count and anchors WPI's engineering identity. The four-year trajectory to $97k is consistent with senior engineer or engineering management advancement.
Biology
Biology (28 graduates) earns a C+ grade: $51,711 year-one and $75,018 year-four with $26,999 in median debt and a ratio of 0.522. Biology is the lowest-graded program in WPI's Scorecard data - a C+ rather than B+ - reflecting year-one earnings that are below the engineering cohorts. Year-one earnings of $52k are reasonable in absolute terms; the C+ reflects the ratio against $27,000 in debt at a $43,071 net price. WPI Biology graduates likely include a significant pre-health and bioinformatics population; the Scorecard figure understates outcomes for those pursuing professional or graduate school.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 95.4% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 96.4% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 93.7% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 92.8% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 60.2% |
| Enrollment | 5,447 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 11.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,376 |
At 60.2% admission, WPI is moderately selective. Scorecard does not report test score ranges. The relatively accessible admission rate combined with a 89.7% completion rate indicates that WPI selects students who are both well-prepared and highly likely to persist. The admission process likely emphasizes STEM preparation and fit with the project-based curriculum over raw test scores. Students without strong mathematics and engineering foundations should research the project-based curriculum requirements before applying, as the pedagogical model differs substantially from traditional universities.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
The repayment rate is 96.4%.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (this school) | 90 | $43,071 | $103,470 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 93 | $36,228 | $102,051 |
| Amherst College | 90 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| University of San Diego | 88 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| University of San Francisco | 80 | $41,431 | $89,812 |
| American International College | 38 | $23,274 | $53,124 |
Who Thrives Here
Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits 60.2% of applicants and enrolls 5,447 students in Worcester, Massachusetts. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score ranges. Pell grant rate of 11.9% reflects a predominantly middle-to-upper income student body; WPI is primarily accessible to students with strong financial resources or who qualify for institutional need-based aid. The completion rate is 89.7%, reflecting strong academic preparation of admitted students and high institutional investment in retention. WPI's project-based pedagogy attracts students who prefer applied engineering over traditional lecture-examination formats.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether Worcester Polytechnic Institute is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $172,284 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $103,470 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 4.6 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 89.7% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $27,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $66,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Common Questions
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Worcester Polytechnic Institute pays off. It scores 90/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $43,071 a year after aid ($172,284 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $103,470 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 4.6 years to earn back.
How much does Worcester Polytechnic Institute cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $43,071 a year, or roughly $172,284 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $103,470 ten years after enrolling, roughly $61,670 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 4.6 years for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $27,000, against average earnings of $66,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
The six-year graduation rate is 89.7%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.