Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) vs Brown University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Brown University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. WPI, a STEM-focused university, boasts a 50% acceptance rate, while Brown, known for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum, has a highly selective 8% acceptance rate. WPI's student body is predominantly male (63%), while Brown's is more gender-balanced (52% female, 48% male). Both universities offer a diverse range of majors, with WPI excelling in engineering and technology, and Brown excelling in social sciences, humanities, and life sciences. WPI's strong emphasis on project-based learning and its renowned Gateway Program set it apart, while Brown's open curriculum and vibrant arts scene contribute to its unique identity. With WPI's 86% graduation rate and Brown's 96% graduation rate, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for

	Brown University	Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Location	Providence, Rhode Island	Worcester, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	5.5%	60.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	$70
SAT range	1460 - 1570	N/A
ACT range	33 - 35	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%
Total number of applicants	46,568	11,092
Total number of admissions given out	2,568	6,679
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,705	1,410
Yield rate	66.4%	21.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$82,570	$74,271
Average net price	$25,028	$48,230
Tuition	$60,944	$54,640
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,054 Meal plan: $6,292	Room/dormitory: $9,250 Meal plan: $7,030
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	46.0% Average amount $55,420	98.0% Average amount $23,821
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $5,159	51.0% Average amount $5,212
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $27,008	39.0% Average amount $13,871

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,349 Men 48.1% Women 51.9%	5,224 Men 60.3% Women 39.7%
Graduate students	3,347 Men 50.0% Women 50.0%	2,006 Men 68.8% Women 31.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	96.5%	N/A
International students	18.6%	13.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	5,013	2,508
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas	Connecticut New York New Hampshire New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science Engineering	Engineering Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Business Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	6:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.8%	87.2%
Dropout rate	3.7%	12.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $130,101 Year 2: $153,718 Year 3: $184,762 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $105,532 Year 2: $88,506 Year 3: $97,037 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,171 Year 2: $73,769 Year 3: $91,029 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,583 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $80,783 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,028 Year 2: $63,302 Year 3: $78,949 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,505 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $74,894 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $60,843 Year 2: $61,294 Year 3: $73,224 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,882 Year 2: $50,105 Year 3: $65,953 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,247 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $63,507 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,186 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $62,581	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,634 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $127,598 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,509 Year 2: $96,405 Year 3: $113,831 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $86,601 Year 2: $95,207 Year 3: $109,222 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,114 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $101,375 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,644 Year 2: $79,598 Year 3: $91,716 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,311 Year 2: $78,814 Year 3: $91,318 Engineering, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,688 Year 3: $91,034 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,720 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $82,909 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,868 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $81,510 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,310 Year 2: $72,507 Year 3: $80,789

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Brown University?

WPI is renowned for its project-based learning approach, emphasizing STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and robotics. Brown University, on the other hand, offers a broader liberal arts education with strengths in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, alongside its engineering programs. Brown's Open Curriculum allows students significant flexibility in designing their course of study.
How do the campus cultures differ between WPI and Brown?

WPI fosters a collaborative and hands-on environment, driven by its project-based curriculum. Students often work in teams on real-world problems. Brown's campus culture is known for its intellectual curiosity, social activism, and emphasis on independent learning and exploration. It's generally considered more politically active and socially conscious.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each institution?

WPI generally has smaller class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of around 13:1. This allows for more personalized attention from professors. Brown's student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 8:1, also providing ample opportunity for interaction with faculty, although introductory courses can be larger.
How do the research opportunities compare between WPI and Brown?

Both universities offer significant research opportunities. WPI's research is heavily focused on applied sciences and engineering, often involving undergraduate students in projects. Brown provides a wider range of research opportunities across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and medicine, in addition to STEM fields.
What are the main differences in the undergraduate curriculum structure?

WPI's curriculum is structured around the WPI Plan, which emphasizes project-based learning through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP) and Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). Brown's Open Curriculum allows students to design their own course of study with no core requirements, fostering intellectual exploration and interdisciplinary learning.
How do the locations of WPI and Brown impact the student experience?

WPI is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a mid-sized city with a growing tech industry and a vibrant arts scene. Brown is situated in Providence, Rhode Island, a historic city with a rich cultural heritage and a thriving arts and culinary scene. Providence offers a more urban experience compared to Worcester.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of WPI and Brown?

WPI graduates are highly sought after in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and technology. The project-based experience gives them a practical advantage in the job market. Brown graduates find success in a wide range of fields, including business, law, medicine, academia, and the arts, due to the breadth of their education and strong alumni network.
How do the admissions processes and acceptance rates compare?

Both WPI and Brown are highly selective institutions. Brown generally has a lower acceptance rate than WPI, making it more competitive to get into. Both universities consider academic achievements, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation in their admissions process. WPI may place slightly more emphasis on STEM-related experiences.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at WPI and Brown?

Both WPI and Brown offer need-based financial aid packages to eligible students. Brown is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Both institutions also offer merit-based scholarships, although these are generally more limited. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for specific details and eligibility requirements.
Are there any specific programs or majors that one school is particularly known for over the other?

WPI is particularly well-known for its robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science programs. Brown is renowned for its creative writing, history, political science, and medical programs. Brown's Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) is also highly regarded.

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