Worcester Polytechnic Institute

100 Institute Rd - Worcester, MA 01069
  • Region: New England
  • Campus Setting: City
  • Size: Medium

One of the nation's earliest technological universities, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA) has taken a unique approach to science and technology education since its founding in 1865. Two required hands-on team projects, either on campus or at over 50 WPI project centers around the world, give our students unique opportunities to solve real problems that matter to real people and real communities.

At WPI, our students discover what it means to jump into a new situation, assess a problem and come up with a workable solution - skills that you'll use for the rest of your career. 98% of WPI faculty members have PhDs; the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. In the recent National Survey of Student Engagement, WPI ranked No. 1 for student/faculty interaction.

WPI's 5,000+ undergraduates hail from 49 states and 89 countries. They can join 235+ clubs and organizations, including 20 NCAA Division 3 teams, during the school's four seven-week terms. WPI graduates command average starting salaries of $74,507 (class of 2022).

WPI ranks in the Top 100 Best Value Schools by the U.S. News & World Report. . Worcester, 40 miles west of Boston, is New England's 2nd largest city and home to 13 colleges

Upcoming Events

  • 9:30am-3:30pm

Are you a high school senior? Register to join us for a fall open house. There, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of different academic presentations to attend, hear from faculty, talk with current students, and take a campus tour as you consider if WPI may be the place for you.

  • 9:00am-11:00am

Learn more about the WPI community at a virtual open house. Hear from the admissions team, ask questions to a panel of current students, and hear more about project work at WPI.

  • 9:30am-3:30pm

Are you a high school senior? Register to join us for a fall open house. There, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of different academic presentations to attend, hear from faculty, talk with current students, and take a campus tour as you consider if WPI may be the place for you. 

  • 5:00pm-7:00pm

Learn more about the WPI community at a virtual open house. Hear from the admissions team, ask questions to a panel of current students, and hear more about project work at WPI.

Photo Gallery

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1865 to create and convey the latest science and engineering knowledge in ways that are most beneficial to society. Today, WPI holds firm to its founding mission to provide an education that balances theory with practice, a philosophy symbolized by the towers of our two original buildings, pictured above. WPI's 18 academic departments offer more than 70+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's curriculum features a flexible, rigorous program that is project-based and globally engaged, aimed at quality experience and a positive impact for the communities it partners with. WPI faculty members-recently ranked top in the nation for quality and accessibility, as reported by the Wall Street Journal-work with students on interdisciplinary research seeking solutions to important and socially relevant problems, both on campus and at more than 50 project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Graduate research programs include robotics, materials science, cybersecurity, and learning sciences and technology. WPI invests in research in critical areas, seeking solutions to important and socially relevant problems in such diverse fields as fire protection engineering, life sciences and bioengineering, energy, and data science.

Mission Statement

WPI transforms lives, turns knowledge into action to confront global challenges, and revolutionizes STEM through distinctive and inclusive education, projects, and research.