About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Situated on an 80 acre campus in the historic town of Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of a small group of Polytechnic universities in the country, dedicated to educating students in the fields of engineering, science management and humanities. Founded in 1865, shortly after the end of the civil war, WPI was founded at a time when America was approaching a period of industrial and technological growth. WPI’s founders desired to develop a university that could develop a new class of engineering, scientific and entrepreneurial professionals.
WPI offers bachelor’s, master’s, certificates, and doctoral degrees.
Many certificates and master’s degrees are available in fully online formats through the department of Online Graduate Programs. The online programs are designed to offer working professionals another path to earning a master’s degree or graduate certificate from WPI. WPI’s flexible and convenient online programs deliver the same world-class education that on-campus students receive and can help students reach their career goals.
Accreditation & Licensing
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is accredited by:
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 5,756 ; Graduate: 2,253Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 4% ; Graduate: 38%Graduation Rate:
90%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$103,470Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$27,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
96%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$30,806Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesOnline Programs offered by Worcester Polytechnic Institute
All Programs
Business
Computer Science & IT
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Engineering
Math & Science
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Frequently Asked Questions About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute accredited?
Yes. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is institutionally accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.
How many online programs does Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers 54 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers graduate-level programs, including master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate pathways.
How should students contact admissions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Worcester Polytechnic Institute falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Worcester Polytechnic Institute first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs require?
Most listed programs require at least a 3.0 GPA, with requirements generally ranging from 3.0 to 3.5.
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute military friendly?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Worcester Polytechnic Institute through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Worcester Polytechnic Institute applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Statement of Purpose/Intent, and Resume/CV. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Worcester Polytechnic Institute accept life experience credit?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs fully online or mixed?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Worcester Polytechnic Institute offer?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has online program options in areas such as Engineering, Business, Math & Science, and Computer Science & IT; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include AACSB International (AACSB).
Are any admission tests required for Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs?
Some listed programs include GRE requirements, so students should check test expectations before choosing a program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Worcester Polytechnic Institute, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
Featured Ranking Reports
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is featured in 22 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Massachusetts
Massachusetts at a Glance:

Top Majors in Massachusetts:
Top Incentives in Massachusetts:
- MASSGrant: Up to $3,100 annually
- John and Abigail Adams Scholarship: Full tuition at state institutions
- Gilbert Matching Student Grant: Up to $2,500 annually
Top Career Pathways in Massachusetts:
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- Senior Level: Research Director ($180,000+)
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- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($85,000)
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- Required Education: BS Computer Science
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- Certifications: ACHE, PMP, CPHIMS






















