Overview of Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research institution that has the distinction of being one of the country’s first technological universities. The school has over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 6,874 (4,668 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 62 percent male/38 percent female
• 97 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $52,322
• Books: $1,000
• Room and Board: $15,302
• Other Expenses: $1,200
• Total Cost: $69,824

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 97 percent
  • Loans: 53 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $20,699
  • Loans: $7,143

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Mechanical Engineering; Computer Science; Chemical Engineering; Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering; and Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 96 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 82 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 87 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Football, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Worcester Polytechnic Institute Admissions

Worcester Polytechnic Institute accepts fewer than half of applicants and has selective admissions. The institution is test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. It has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Worcester Polytechnic Institute had an acceptance rate of 42%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 42 students gained admission, making WPI’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 70% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided SAT scores, most fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 630 and 710 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 630 and 25% scored over 710. 50% of students scored between 670 and 750 on the math part, while 25% scored under 670, and 25% scored over 750. While the SAT is not optional, this data reveals that a cumulative SAT score of 1460 or higher is considered a competitive score for WPI.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 25% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided ACT scores, most fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to Worcester Polytechnic Institute received a cumulative ACT score between 29 and 33, while 25% scored over 33, and 25% scored under 29.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s incoming class was 3.89, and 95% of students had average GPAs over 3.5. Successful applicants have A and high B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Worcester Polytechnic Institute is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Stony Brook University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Villanova University, Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Binghamton University, Lehigh University, University of Florida, University of California, San Diego

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Worcester Polytechnic Institute. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Tufts University, Northeastern University, New York University, University of Michigan, Emory University, Boston College, Boston University

Applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Application Deadline: February 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/graduate      

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://gradapp.wpi.edu/apply/