Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research institution of the United States. Founded in 1865 in Worcester, was one of the first engineering and technological universities of the United States. Worcester Polytechnic Institute educates bachelor, master, postgraduate and doctor students.

Project work begins in the first days of study and helps apply theory from academic courses in practice. WPI supports more than 50 international project centers, where students work with local communities on practical problems.

Hybrid learning at the WPI Bioprocessing Education and Training Center combines remote classes, lab demonstrations, and lectures. Some online biotechnology courses include an on-campus lab component designed for working professionals.

• The undergraduate program includes more than 50 majors,
• WPI students have access to the combined BS/MS undergraduate and graduate program, and students from regional partner institutions can transfer part of their credits toward both degrees under the Collaborative Accelerated Master’s Program.

• In 2023, WPI received the Andrew Heiskell Award for innovation in student mobility and expanding access to international projects,
• in 2024, the institute received the Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award from NAFSA for campus internationalization,
• in 2023, the Council on Undergraduate Research recognized WPI with an award for achievements in undergraduate student research.

• Stratton Hall opened in 1894,
• the Phemox-X high-resolution emission microscope, developed at WPI, became the first system of its kind in New England.

Just over 2,400 students live in WPI residences. Traditional rooms, apartments, and multi-room suites are available. Rooms are furnished with beds, desks, chairs, dressers, closets, and high-speed network access. A resident advisor works on every floor, helping with everyday issues, adjustment, roommate disagreements, and stress. In Daniels Hall, every floor has shared bathrooms and showers available to students of any gender. Apartments and houses within walking distance of the campus are available to rent nearby.

Dining locations offer gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Morgan Commons serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style, with several hot dishes, a salad bar, and grilled items. The Campus Center food court serves pizza, stir-fry dishes, chicken wings, sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers.

WPI has more than 270 student clubs. Besides classes in their major, students can take part in music, theater, and underwater hockey.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is famous worldwide for its individual, innovative educational program. The university is ranked 133 in the national ranking, and 633 in the international ranking. WPI is also known for its high-income graduates. 

Outstanding graduates and teachers

The educational institution is famous for a large list of outstanding graduates. Among them are a huge number of scientists who have contributed to the development of science and technology. Also on the list are famous politicians and creative personalities.

• Elwood Haynes (chemist, inventor and assistant in the development of the automotive industry, participated in the creation of stainless steel);
• Atwater Kent (founded the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company, which was the world's leading producer of radio stations in the late 1920s);
• John Woodman Higgins (was the founder of Worcester Pressed Steel and the Higgins Armory);
• James Smith (was an engineer, entrepreneur, educator and businessman, co-founder and president of the National Radio Institute (NRI) in Washington);
• Robert H. Goddard (father of rocket science);
• Lawrence C. Jones (Vermont Attorney General);
• William Stevens Lawton (was lieutenant general of the US Army);
• Harold Stephen Black (revolutionized electronics by inventing a negative feedback amplifier in 1927);
• Richard T. Whitcomb (was an aeronautical engineer responsible for the development of high-speed aircraft);
• Robert Stamppel (was the inventor of the catalytic converter, as well as the former chairman and CEO of General Motors);
• Paul Allair (was the previous CEO of Xerox);
• Don Peterson (former CFO of Lucent Technologies, as well as founder, CEO and Chairman of Avaya);
• David Gevirtz (CNN columnist, adviser on cyber-terrorism and leading presidential scholar).

Among the famous teachers are: David Adam (professor of biology), Kaveh Pahlavan (professor of electrical engineering), Umberto Mosco (taught mathematics), George Phyllis (physicist), Brian Moriarty and others.

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute campus is geographically located in the city of Worcester. Near the building is a large Tudor style mansion. It was built in 1923 by graduate Aldus Chapin Higgins, who then bequeathed to his alma mater. This mansion and the surrounding English garden serve as a picturesque historical background for many alumni events, and is also the headquarters of the Alumni Department.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute supports 20 sports teams that are actively participating in competitions in New England. On campus there is a large library, dormitories, canteens, a sports complex and playgrounds.

The university is a member of the Association of Independent, Technological Universities, Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Sport affiliations: National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Master's and doctoral students may be charged a student organization fee. Whether it is charged depends on whether the studies are online, and on enrollment status.

Applications for master's and doctoral programs are accepted throughout the year. WPI recommends submitting documents no later than two months before the desired start of studies, and international applicants should apply as early as possible, since processing their documents takes longer.

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of admission, guaranteed.

The median starting salary for WPI undergraduate graduates in 2025 was $80,000.

In a survey of 2021 graduates, 95% of respondents said that project-based experience at WPI prepared them for their current professional activity.

Enrollment in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute is based on the statement provided from the previous place of education. The entrance competition here is not very strict (approximately 60% of applicants will be enrolled). Foreigners can do the same with local residents. The academic year here consists of quarters.

The university offers many specialties in the areas of engineering, science, management, humanities and social sciences. The institute is best known for its engineering disciplines. It is also one of the most popular educational centers in North America and around the world. Unlike many peer universities, WPI does not unite different directions to colleges or schools.

Tuition is quite high here. For the undergraduate program you will need to pay 43000 USD / year, and for the master course - 23000 USD / year. However, the Institute provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to students with good academic performance.

In total, the university has about 5,000 students and 390 teachers. Foreign citizens make up 21% of the total number of students. Worcester Polytechnic Institute provides the possibility of receiving education remotely using online courses. The institute cooperates with a large number of educational institutions, research centers and international organizations.

Students have the opportunity to carry out development not only on the basis of the institution, but also beyond its borders (in partner research centers). Also, the university supports the program for the exchange of students and teachers.

• Students transferring from WPI partner educational institutions receive an annual scholarship of $20,000,
• master's and doctoral candidates receive priority in funding allocation if they apply before the priority deadline. After submitting a complete application, their candidacies are automatically considered for the types of WPI financial aid for which they meet the conditions,
• WPI undergraduate alumni are offered a reduction in the cost of a master's degree,
• among full-time students who first enrolled at WPI in 2024, 99% received a grant or scholarship,
• international students have access to merit-based grants and a limited number of need-based grants.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision