Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI): Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements

  • B+ Shiksha Grade
  • Private University
  • Estd. 1865
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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 13 Dec '24, by Anushree Sinha (Study Abroad Expert)

WPI
What’s new?

For WPI Business School admissions, international students must apply within the application deadlines listed below:

  • Early Action II application deadline is Jan 5, 2025
  • For Regular Decisions, students can apply till Feb 1, 2025

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Year of establishment
1865
Also known as
WPI
University website
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Student website
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Campus size
80 acres
Endowment value
USD 58 million
Scholarships granted
4918
Scholarship amount granted
USD 136 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
478
Faculty/Student ratio
13
Total criminal offences
64
Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

76%

Asian

11%

Hispanic

8%

Black

2%

UG Student residence

Out of state

47%

In state

45%

Foreign

7%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

99%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

11599
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

0.89
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

5246
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

2062
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q:   Is it tough to get into Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate is nearly 60% and this figure indicates that on an average, about 60 out of every 100 applicants manage to secure admission in the institution. Hence, this makes WPI a comparitively easier school to get in, . However, students must not show any laxity and must fulfill all the admission, documents and English proficiency language requirements of WPI. Also, the candidate's academic credentials, extracurricular engagement and personal qualities must suit the profile of Worcester in order to get enrolled in the university.

Note: The acceptance rate data is taken from unofficial sources and is subjected to change every year.

Q:   Can I work while stuying in WPI?

A: 

Yes, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute allows students to work along with studying. Students can work up to 20 hours a week during the regular academic year. During vacations and summer holidays, students can work full-time, i.e., 40 hours. Students can also apply for jobs on-campus. Also, WPI allows international students to work part-time on campus. Positions are available in a variety of offices and services. The application process for many positions in competitive, and new students are encouraged to apply directly upon arrival at WPI. Student employees will typically earn $1,500 to $2,500 in an academic year.

Note: International students are advised to check the conditions of working in a foreign country on their study visa. They are also advised to confirm any specific instructions on the same from their respective departments and faculties. Under no circumstances should they be found compromising with the law and order of the country.

Students are advised to refer to the USA Study Visa Guide and F1 Visa Guide for further details.

Q:   Does Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer scholarships to international students?

A: 

The scholarships at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is bifurcated into two categories: Merit-based & Need-based.

Merit-based: WPI offers competitive academic merit-based scholarships to first-year applicants based on academic performance in high school, leadership, extracurricular involvement and community service. IB Diploma graduates with a Diploma score of 40 or greater admitted to WPI are guaranteed an academic merit-based scholarship worth a minimum of $25,000. All applicants for admission are automatically considered for merit scholarships. No additional applications are required.

Need-based: WPI offers a limited number of need-based scholarships to international students. Since WPI has limited funds available, only a portion of the admitted international students are awarded an international scholarship each year. The awards vary in amount but typically range from $5,000 to $25,000. These awards are renewed each year provided the student remains in good academic standing. WPI does not guarantee to meet applicants' full financial need. International scholarships are based upon financial need, the student's academic profile, and any special talents or experiences that the student will bring to WPI. Since no award amounts are greater than the cost of tuition, families are expected to contribute a minimum of $22,000 for living and travel expenses to the total cost of attendance at WPI. Also since funding is limited, families who have the financial resources to fund the entire cost of attendance should not apply for financial aid. WPI maintains a need-aware admissions process for international (non-immigrant) applicants. It is possible to receive an award that is a combination of a merit-based scholarship and an international scholarship; however, WPI offers very few combined awards. It is important to note that combined awards never exceed the cost of tuition. In order to apply for an International Scholarship, students must complete the CSS Profile at the time of application. 

Q:   What has been the salary outcome of WPI students after getting placed?

A: 

There was an increase in the average starting salary of bachelor’s degree pass outs as compared to 2019. The salary recorded for 64.5% of bachelor’s students who had a job in 2020 was $72,951. For the master’s and PhD degree graduates, the salaries were $86,017 and $100,200 respectively. As per Forbes, the 10-year median salary for WPI graduates is $135,500.

Q:   What is WPI's global ranking?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of the top-ranked engineering schools in US with the rank #851-900 in QS World University Rankings 2024. In US News and World Report Rankings 2023, this institute is ranked #67 out of 443 National Universities. Whereas, Times Higher Education has ranked it in the range #801-1000 in World University Rankings 2023. WPI is known worldwide for its engineering courses and has claimed the rank #92 in Best Engineering Schools.

Scholarships 2025

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Admissions 2025

  • Application fees :USD 70
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNeeded for few courses
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Calendar IconImportant dates
Intake seasonDeadline
Fall1ˢᵗ Jan - 1ˢᵗ Feb 2024
Spring1ˢᵗ Oct 2024
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   When can I start applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers three application types to all the prospective students and the deadline differs according to the choice of decision (Early/Regular). For the 2024 intake, the WPI application deadlines are:

  • Early Action II and Early Decision II - January 5, 2024
  • Regular Decision - February 1, 2024

Additionally, all applicants are required to a pay non-refundable amount of USD 70 = INR 5,825 while applying to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

* 1 USD = INR 83.22

Q:   What is Worcester Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate is nearly 60% and this figure indicates that on an average, about 60 out of every 100 applicants manage to secure admission in the institution. Hence, this makes WPI a comparitively easier school to get in, based on the acceptance rate data.

Note: The data is taken from unofficial sources and is subjected to change every year.

Q:   Which documents do I need while applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 

While applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, all international need to fulfill the requirements of documents mentioned below in order to be considered eligible for studying in the institution.

1) Undergraduate Students:

  • Official transcripts sent from high school
    • First marking period grades are required for Early Decision Round One applicants. A Mid Year grade report is required for Early Decision Round Two applicants. 
    • First Marking period grades or Mid Year Report are highly recommended for Early Action and Regular Decision applicants.
    • Transfer applicants must also submit college/university transcripts 
  • Early Decision applicants are required to submit the Early Decision Agreement
  • English proficiency proof
  • SAT or ACT score (if any)
  • Student CV/Academic resume
  • Letter of recommendation (from the school counselor)
  • A passport-sized photograph
  • A valid passport (with a minimum of six months of validity before the date of travel to the states)
  • Non-immigration Visa Application form
  • Fee receipt for SEVIS
  • Form DS-160
  • Financial proof

2) Graduate Students:

Q:   Is it hard to get admission at Worcester Polytechnic?

A: 

With an acceptance rate of 57%, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute is moderately stringent at the time of admission. However, students with excellent academic performance still get the chance to enter any program. The factors that the university emphasizes include a GPA score of at least 3.85, class ranks, English language requirements, extracurricular activity, interviews, and relevant experience. Students who achieve good class rank, perform well in required exams, and take part in other activities are prioritized over others.

Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(25 courses)
INR 23 L - 26 L
Duration18 months-3 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 84 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech(9 courses)
INR 50 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS, TOEFL, PTE
B.Sc.(7 courses)
INR 50 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 61 & Above
B.Arch(1 course)
INR 50 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS, TOEFL, PTE
BBA(1 course)
INR 50 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS, TOEFL, PTE
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility

Q:   Is it expensive to study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers over 50 educational programs at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Studying at WPI can be considered expensive since the annual tuition fee at the institution is on the higher end. Students can refer to the table below to have a look at WPI's first year fees for pursuing a degree course:

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
BBA (3 courses)
INR 16.4 L - 25.2 L
BBA (2 courses)
INR 48.2 L
MIM (3 courses)
INR 16.4 L - 25.2 L
B.E. / B.Tech (2 courses)
INR 48.2 L

Q:   What are Worcester's admission requirements?

A: 

In order to get enrolled for a degree course at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, applicants must fulfill certain admission requirements. Mentioned below are the entry requirements from prospective students of WPI:

  • Complete application along with $70 fee;
  • High School Certifictae/Bachelor's Degree;
  • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT);
  • English language requirements  (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo/PTE);
  • Letter of recommendations;
  • Academic requirements: Four years of math (including pre-calculus), four years of English and two years of lab science.

Q:   What are Worcester Polytechnic Institute's English language requirements?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's admission requirements include English language exam scores from all overseas applicants minimum score requirements are listed in the table below:

English Language Exam

Minimum Score Required

TOEFL iBT

90 with no sub-section below 20

IELTS

7.0 with no band below 6.5

PTE

61

Duolingo English Test  (DET)

125

Note: Citizens of an English speaking country who attended an English speaking high school for four years may be exempted from submitting their English language proficiency exam score. 

Q:   What are WPI's admission requirements from home-schooled applicants?

A: 

 Worcester Polytechnic Institute demands similar requirements from home-schooled applicants as regular freshman students. However, home-schooled candidates must a few additional documents mentioned below:

1) The applicants must show that they have completed:

  • Math coursework through pre-calculus;
  • Two lab Science courses; and
  • Four English courses.

2) Provide one of the following:

  • A transcript from a recognised home school clearing house program; or
  • A transcript from a traditional high school programme you attended for part of your high school career; or
  • Official high school equivalency results, such as GED, HiSET, or TASC; or
  • Provide an official home-school transcript signed by your home school counselor/supervisor, as well as a detailed list or documentation of academic coursework at the high school level.

3) Students applying for financial aid must submit one of the following prior to attending WPI:

  • Final high school transcript; or
  • GED equivalent; or
  • Certification that student has met local school district's graduation requirements.

Note: All home-schooled candidates must complete the Common Application School Report and Counselor Recommendation Form or the WPI Home school supplement form.

Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute expects a minimum cumulative score of 3.85 from international students at the time of admission. GPA is one of the foremost factors along with class rank, activity involvement, relevant experience, and more. Along with the GPA score, performing extremely well in academics is highly crucial to being a part of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

WPI
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.5/5
Verified Icon2 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Vibe of Campus
  • Academically oriented
  • Multi-dimensional
  • Friendly
  • Sporty
Student Views
  • 50% students never faced discrimination in this university
Internships3.5
Part time work4
Post study jobs4
Quality of faculty4.5
Student Life5
Value for money4.5
Public transportation5
Safety5
Indian Food5
Permanent Immigration5
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Batch of 2026
4.7
WPI has a friendly and peaceful campus.
Tips: The professors are top-notch, and they provide excellent instruction. The university has a good number of labs that allow students to gain practical knowledge. The university also provides a variety of events to keep students engaged, and the campus has a very good sports centre where students can enjoy playing a variety of sports.
Likes (Permanent Immigration): The US offers multiple immigration routes such as H-1B visa L-1 leading to a green card. This country gives a future for good skilled persons. They can gain great experience in this country. For those with high-demand skills, advanced education, and expertise, chances can be relatively good in this country.
Dislikes (Part time work): Most employers want students to provide their identity and previous work experience in document form. Some employers pay in checks, which is risky. There are very few part-time jobs near Worcester, and they are quickly filled by other students.
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2026
4.4
WPI Aerospace program excels in providing a hand on innovative education.
Tips: When you apply to WPI, you will automatically be considered for scholarships. We have a university bus shuttle to travel from one place to another, and a WhatsApp group where students can share rides. Our department mainly focuses on engine parts and finite element analysis, but not computational fluid dynamics, so please research what you like before applying.
Likes (Safety): There are many Indian restaurants in the next town, and Indian markets and Patel Brothers shops where you can buy groceries. There is also an app called 'Wee' that delivers groceries to your door. So, don't worry about finding food that you like.
Dislikes (Internships): To apply for an internship, you need to have completed two semesters or eight terms and earned 16 credits. In some cases, you may also need to be a citizen of the country in which the internship is located. You should start applying for internships as soon as you arrive. You will also need to have a reference when applying.
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024Read more
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Placements

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements

Q:   How is Worcester Polytechnic Institute Placement?

A: 
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Placement is good as in some streams 100% of students get placed in top organizations. Every year, so many applicants get their dream job with the best salary packages in the industry.

Q:   What is the average salary of the Computer Science programme at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

A: 
The average salary of the Computer Science programme at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is $88,280 yearly.

Q:   Which concentration yielded the highest salary for WPI graduates?

A: 

 The bachelor’s concentration that led to the highest average salary was Computer Science with $88,280, followed by Interactive Media and Game Development and Robotics Engineering. Similarly, at the master’s level, the highest average salary was witnessed by students with Robotics Engineering as a concentration at $113,833.

Q:   What is WPI reputation with regard to placement post-graduation?

A: 

The institute has been featured and ranked 4 among national universities where the graduates are paid well according to US News and World Report. The Princeton Review too has ranked it 5 th and 6 th for best career services and placement. The institute ranks 3 rd in Massachusetts for the highest early career of graduates.

Q:   Which are some of the top employers offering placement to WPI students?

A: 

Some of the top employers are Fidelity Investments Inc., Cambridge Associates, Fidelity, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Sun Life Financial, Hanover Company, Mott MacDonald, Tighe & Bond, WSP, Recreation Worcester, Juniper Networks, ARCO, CASCO USA, Outback Engineering, Stantec, US Army Corps of Engineers.







Rankings 2025

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Rankings

Q:   How is Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked in the world?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of the top-ranked engineering schools in US with the rank #851-900 in QS World University Rankings 2024. In US News and World Report Rankings 2023, this institute is ranked #67 out of 443 National Universities. Whereas, Times Higher Education has ranked it in the range #801-1000 in World University Rankings 2023. WPI is known worldwide for its engineering courses and has claimed the rank #92 in Best Engineering Schools.

WPI
College comparison

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Compare WPI with other similar colleges

MS
B.E. / B.Tech
B.Sc.
B.Arch
BBA
College1st Year Tuition FeesShiksha GradeRanking

WPI

INR 23.06 L - 25.58 LB+#901 QS, 2025
INR 49.38 L - 52.67 LB++#601 QS, 2025

WPI Business School

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INR 14.6 L-/- -/-
INR 22.23 L - 53.45 LB++#711 QS, 2025

Tufts University

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INR 18.92 L - 43.74 LA#344 QS, 2025

Miami University-Oxford

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INR 10.83 L - 30.62 LB#1201 QS, 2025
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

WPI
Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
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963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
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Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
334.23M (2023)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
December
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston-26
New York07
Chicago-33
Los Angeles920
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Notable Alumni

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Commonly asked questions
On Alumni

Q:   Who are the notable alumni of WPI?

A: 
 Worcester Polytechnic Institute has many notable alumni, including popular names like:
  • Robert H. Goddard  (Father of Modern Rocketry)
  • James Ernest Smith  (American Entrepreneur and Engineer)
  • Paul Allaire  (Xerox's Former CEO)
  • Mei Yiqi  (Chinese Politician and Physicist)
  • Naveen Selvadurai  (American Internet Entrepreneur)
  • Jeremy Hitchcock  (Dyn's Co-Founder and Former CEO)
  • Elwood Haynes  (American Chemist and Industrialist)
  • Arthur Kent  (Prominent Radio Manufacturer)
  • Kotaro Shimomura  (Japanese Chemical Engineer)
 
 

Campus Life

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FAQs

Q:   Which is better: Worcester Polytechnic Institute or Stevens Institute of Technology?

A: 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stevens Institute of Technology are very well known institutions in USA and have their own strengths as well as weaknesses. According to the US News and World Report Rankings 2023, Stevens Institute of Technology ranks #83 in Best National Universities. Whereas, Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranks #67 in the same category. On the basis of rankings, the WPI has an upper hand.

Mentioned below is the comparison between both the universities on the basis of some other parameters that can help you choose the better university for you:

 

Parameters

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Stevens Institute of Technology

Acceptance Rate

60%

52.7%

Average GPA

3.89

3.0

Annual Tuition Fee (MS)

INR 16.4 L - 25.2 L

INR 31.1 L - 36.2 L

qna

WPI

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About the author

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Anushree Sinha

Study Abroad Expert

Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio

WPI
Take a look at Campus

WPI Others(1)University Building
WPI Others(2)Boynton Hall
WPI Others(3)Sanford Riley Hall
WPI Others(1)
WPI Others(2)

WPI
Location

Accordion Icon V3
University CityWorcester, Massachusetts, USA
Size of cityMedium
Population of City1,84,508

WPI
Contact Information

Address

100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
Worcester ( Massachusetts)

Phone
508-831-6030

(For general query)

508-831-5301

(For admission query)

Email
ih@wpi.edu

(For general query)

grad@wpi.edu

(For admission query)

Go to College Website ->