Hampshire College vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, 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 Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Worcester Polytechnic Institute is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Hampshire College vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College than WPI ($27,895 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 13.2% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($15,958 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hampshire College (about $2,069 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at WPI than at Hampshire College (about $2,069 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $58,896.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students ($46,145 vs. $31,545).

Hampshire College vs. WPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 18.1% at WPI.

Hampshire College vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College's (61%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $45,600 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($23,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 72%)

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.