Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) vs Florida Tech

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. WPI, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a private research university with a strong focus on STEM education, while FIT, situated in Melbourne, Florida, is a private research university known for its engineering, aviation, and science programs. With acceptance rates of 48% and 63%, respectively, both universities offer competitive admissions. WPI's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 4,000 compared to FIT's 3,000. While WPI boasts a higher graduation rate of 88%, FIT excels in student diversity, with a larger international student population. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, tuition fees, and financial aid opportunities, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Florida Institute of Technology	Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Location	Melbourne, Florida	Worcester, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	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	82.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.9%	60.2%
Application fees	$50	$70
SAT range	1140 - 1340	N/A
ACT range	24 - 30	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	68.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%
Total number of applicants	10,650	11,092
Total number of admissions given out	7,016	6,679
Admitted students who chose to enroll	756	1,410
Yield rate	10.8%	21.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$61,442	$74,271
Average net price	$32,314	$48,230
Tuition	$42,346	$54,640
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,416 Meal plan: $5,980	Room/dormitory: $9,250 Meal plan: $7,030
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $25,807	98.0% Average amount $23,821
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,481	51.0% Average amount $5,212
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $24,026	39.0% Average amount $13,871

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,491 Men 69.4% Women 30.6%	5,224 Men 60.3% Women 39.7%
Graduate students	4,339 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	2,006 Men 68.8% Women 31.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	54.8%	N/A
International students	19.3%	13.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,017	2,508
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania	Connecticut New York New Hampshire New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Psychology Business Transportation and Logistics Computer and Information Science	Engineering Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Business Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.3%	87.2%
Dropout rate	32.8%	12.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,395 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $85,054 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,500 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $83,998 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,306 Year 2: $75,787 Year 3: $81,479 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,475 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $80,057 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,264 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $79,253 Air Transportation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $77,183 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,682 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $76,785 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,184 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,804 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,992 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,267 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,647 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $71,506	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 Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)?

WPI is renowned for its project-based learning approach, emphasizing STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and robotics. Florida Tech also excels in STEM, but with a stronger emphasis on aerospace, ocean engineering, and related sciences. Consider your specific STEM interests when choosing between the two.
How do the campus environments differ between WPI and Florida Tech?

WPI is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a mid-sized city with a rich industrial history and a vibrant college town atmosphere. Florida Tech is situated in Melbourne, Florida, a coastal city known for its beaches, space industry connections, and warmer climate. Your preference for urban vs. coastal and climate should factor into your decision.
What is the approach to undergraduate research at WPI and Florida Tech?

Both universities offer ample undergraduate research opportunities. WPI's project-based curriculum inherently involves research, particularly through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP). Florida Tech provides research opportunities through faculty-led projects, research centers, and collaborations with nearby Kennedy Space Center.
How do the tuition costs and financial aid options compare between WPI and Florida Tech?

Tuition costs are generally comparable between WPI and Florida Tech. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly. It's crucial to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at each institution based on your individual financial circumstances. Contact the financial aid offices at both universities for personalized estimates.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of WPI and Florida Tech?

Both WPI and Florida Tech graduates are highly sought after by employers, particularly in STEM fields. WPI's strong industry connections in the Northeast and its project-based learning give graduates a practical edge. Florida Tech's proximity to the space industry and its specialized programs provide unique career pathways in aerospace and related fields.
How do the student bodies and campus cultures differ between WPI and Florida Tech?

WPI has a predominantly STEM-focused student body with a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation. Florida Tech also attracts STEM students, but with a more diverse range of interests, including aviation and oceanography. The campus culture at WPI is known for its collaborative spirit, while Florida Tech offers a more relaxed, beach-oriented atmosphere.
What are the key differences in the academic calendars at WPI and Florida Tech?

WPI operates on a unique seven-week term system known as the 'WPI Plan,' allowing students to focus on fewer courses at a time and engage in intensive project work. Florida Tech follows a more traditional semester-based academic calendar. Consider which structure better suits your learning style.
How do WPI and Florida Tech support student entrepreneurship and innovation?

Both universities offer resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. WPI has the Foisie Business School and various programs that support student startups. Florida Tech has the Center for Entrepreneurship and New Business Development, which provides mentorship and resources for launching new ventures. Your entrepreneurial aspirations can be supported at either institution.
What types of extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at WPI and Florida Tech?

Both universities offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. WPI has a strong focus on robotics, engineering clubs, and competitive programming. Florida Tech offers clubs related to aerospace, oceanography, and aviation, as well as a variety of sports and recreational activities. Explore the specific clubs and organizations that align with your interests at each university.
How do the graduate programs at WPI and Florida Tech compare?

Both WPI and Florida Tech offer a variety of graduate programs in STEM fields. WPI is particularly strong in areas like robotics, data science, and engineering management. Florida Tech excels in aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, and cybersecurity. If you are considering graduate studies, research the specific programs offered at each university to determine the best fit for your academic goals.

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