About
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degree programs. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
Admissions & acceptance rate
How selective is this institution, and how many admitted students choose to enroll?
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 5.0-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Academic programs at WPI
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
WPI vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions WPI selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectWorcester Polytechnic Institute | 90% | — | 7,584 | $43,273 | R2 Research |
Carnegie Mellon University | 94% | 11.7% | 15,888 | $31,671 | R1 Research |
Clarkson University | 75% | 77.4% | 3,348 | $31,955 | R2 Research |
Illinois Institute of Technology | 75% | 54.9% | 8,834 | $19,353 | R2 Research |
Lehigh University | 88% | 25.9% | 7,692 | $33,549 | R2 Research |
Loyola Marymount University | 79% | 45.1% | 10,179 | $45,723 | R2 Research |
Northeastern University | 91% | 5.2% | 32,553 | $32,116 | R1 Research |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 84% | 63.5% | 7,040 | $33,139 | R1 Research |
Rice University | 95% | 8.0% | 8,961 | $12,640 | R1 Research |
Rochester Institute of Technology | 71% | 66.9% | 17,098 | $29,694 | R2 Research |
Stevens Institute of Technology | 87% | 47.6% | 8,469 | $40,468 | R2 Research |
Syracuse University | 84% | 45.9% | 22,589 | $41,026 | R1 Research |
Villanova University | 92% | 27.0% | 10,041 | $44,876 | R2 Research |
| Peer group median | 87% | 45.5% | 8,961 | $33,139 |
WPI Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
IRAA is the university’s trusted source for accurate, timely, and well‑governed institutional data. We ensure information is consistent, reliable, and actionable across reporting, academic operations, and evidence‑based decision‑making.
Visit IR office page- Elissa LuExecutive Director of Institutional Research & Assessment
Common Data Set (1)
The institution's official annual Common Data Set publications — the most detailed reference for enrollment, admissions, and outcomes.
Reports & documents (6)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardwpi.edu
- Data dictionaryData Organization & Documentation - Data Management and Record Keeping - Guides at Worcester Polytechnic Institute2025This guide from Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Gordon Library provides tools, tips, and checklists for effective data management and record-keeping. It covers crucial aspects such as data organization principles, metadata, file naming conventions, and data documentation to assist researchers and students in developing a structured approach to managing data. This resource also highlights the importance of metadata, data dictionaries, and adherence to metadata standards for data sharing and retrieval.libguides.wpi.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- Factbook2016 Fact Book2016The 2016 Fact Book of Worcester Polytechnic Institute provides comprehensive data on student enrollment, retention, admissions, and graduation statistics at the institute. It details undergraduate and graduate enrollment profiles, segmented by gender, race/ethnicity, and major, alongside domestic and international student distributions. The document also covers first-time freshmen admissions data from 2012 to 2016, including retention and graduation rates of class cohorts. Additionally, it provides insights into transfer admissions and the academic progress of students across various departments through productivity measures such as declared majors and completions.wpi.edu
- FactbookWorcester Polytechnic Institute Factbook1997The 1997 Factbook for Worcester Polytechnic Institute provides detailed information on key institutional metrics, including total enrollment, graduation rates, and faculty count, compiled by the Office of Institutional Research.wpi.edu
- Strategic planLEAD WITH PURPOSE The Strategic Plan for WPI2023Worcester Polytechnic Institute's strategic plan, 'Lead with Purpose', focuses on enhancing student well-being, expanding inclusive excellence, and evolving STEM education. The plan emphasizes reducing financial barriers and increasing diversity through initiatives like the Center for Well-Being and enhanced recruitment of BIPOC students. Additionally, the strategic plan aims to integrate online learning into its STEM curriculum and foster an inclusive community through professional development and engaging in WPI's mission and values.wpi.edu
Notable alumni of WPI (11)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Todd AkinPolitics
- Paul AllaireBusiness
- Harold Stephen BlackEngineering
- Giovanni CapriglionePolitics
- Curtis CarlsonBusiness
- David GewirtzJournalism
- Robert H. GoddardEngineering
- Elwood HaynesEngineering
- Dean KamenEngineering and Invention
- Naveen SelvaduraiTechnology
- James SmithEducation and Engineering
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