WPI vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

WPI vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WPI or Penn College? 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 Pennsylvania College of Technology than WPI ($23,675 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania College of Technology are 30.3% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($12,818 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 234.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn College (about $42,725 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $18,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.7% higher at WPI than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $34,985 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (100% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 251.9% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($31,545 vs. $8,964).

WPI vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

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

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WPI - Test-free; Penn College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Penn College (3.05).

WPI vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WPI and Penn College? 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 Pennsylvania College of Technology's (42%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $38,300 more per year than Penn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn College 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.