Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 49%. Founded in 1865, WPI is one of the country's first technological universities. The school has over 50 undergraduate degree programs. WPI specializes in science, engineering, and business, but it also offers programs in social sciences, humanities, and the arts. WPI ranks nationally in student engagement and career prospects.

Considering applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Worcester Polytechnic Institute had an acceptance rate of 49%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 49 students were admitted, making WPI's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to WPI may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 71% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted SAT scores to WPI, most fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Worcester Polytechnic Institute scored between 630 and 710, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 710. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 680 and 760, while 25% scored below 680 and 25% scored above 760. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1470 or higher is a competitive score for WPI.

Requirements

Worcester Polytechnic Institute does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that WPI requests that applicants not superscore, and submit individual section scores and the date of each test administration. WPI does not require the optional essay section of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to WPI may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 24% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted ACT scores to WPI, most fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Worcester Polytechnic Institute received a composite ACT score between 29 and 33, while 25% scored above 33 and 25% scored below 29.

Requirements

WPI does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that WPI requests that applicants not superscore, and submit individual section scores and the date of each test administration. WPI does not require the optional writing section of the ACT.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's incoming class was 3.9, and 82% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to WPI have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has selective admissions. However, WPI has a holistic admissions process and is test optional, and admissions decisions are based on more than numbers. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. WPI also offers an optional interview which can add to your application.

In the graph above, you can see that successful WPI applicants tend to be well above average. The blue and green dots represent students who gained admission. Most had SAT scores of 1200 or higher, an ACT composite of 25 or higher, and a high school average of "B+" or higher. The great majority of admitted students had grades in the "A" range.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Undergraduate Admissions Office.