Fitchburg State vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Worcester Polytechnic Institute is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Fitchburg State vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or WPI? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than WPI ($15,340 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 16% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($15,452 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 437.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $49,619 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 249.9% higher at WPI than at Fitchburg State University (about $43,539 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 173.4% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($31,545 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. WPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or WPI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WPI and Fitchburg State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 18.1% at WPI.

Fitchburg State vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and WPI? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $38,700 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.