WORCESTER—Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has been ranked 18th among four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. News & World Report list of “Colleges with the Best Return on Investment.”
The ranking, based on data from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, estimates that a WPI education yields a return on investment (ROI) of $3.4 million after 40 years and $258,000 after 10 years. The calculations, using 2021–22 academic year data, compare the cost of attendance to projected future earnings. WPI is one of only five Massachusetts schools to make the list.
“Being ranked in the top 20 for return on investment highlights the lasting value of a WPI education,” WPI President Grace J. Wang said in the announcement. She noted that the university’s project-based approach not only builds technical expertise but also develops leadership and problem-solving skills that benefit students throughout their careers.
Beyond long-term projections, WPI’s recent graduates report strong early career earnings. According to university data, the undergraduate Class of 2023 had an average starting salary of $80,440 within six months of graduation—well above the national average of $63,721 reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
WPI officials say the findings reinforce what alumni consistently report: that the university’s hands-on, project-based learning model prepares them for career success. A recent survey of more than 2,200 WPI graduates found that 95% felt their project work was essential to their professional readiness.
“At a time when there is public debate about whether college is worth it, the calculations highlighted in the report demonstrate one of the ways WPI is delivering value for students,” a university spokesperson said.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? A good recipe or a funny joke? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
