Worcester, MA · Private University
Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$103,470
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$59,070
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,070
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$236,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.75x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
88.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$43,273
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $58,470 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked by graduate earnings
165 graduates
23 graduates
81 graduates
27 graduates
75 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $124,359) and the lowest (Biology, General: $71,939) is $52,420/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $124,359 | 2.1x |
| Industrial Engineering | $92,896 | 1.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $91,694 | 1.6x |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $89,485 | 1.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $89,036 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $88,871 | 1.5x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications(1yr data) | $86,193 | 1.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $85,859 | 1.4x |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering(1yr data) | $85,340 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,729 | 1.4x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $83,465 | 1.4x |
| Biology, GeneralLowest | $71,939 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $103,470 10 years after starting, $58,470 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.