WPI vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 5,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

WPI vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WPI or CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin than WPI ($31,916 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Wisconsin are 28.2% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($13,200 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 71.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUW (about $25,495 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.9% higher at WPI than at Concordia University Wisconsin (about $25,495 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Concordia University Wisconsin (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students ($31,545 vs. $21,379).

WPI vs. CUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WPI or CUW? 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 CUW and WPI.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WPI - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at CUW (3.52).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at WPI vs. 14.1% at CUW.

WPI vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WPI and CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin's (58%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $36,600 more per year than CUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $3,075 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($23,925 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 52%)

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.