Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) are two highly regarded institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. WPI, a private research university in Massachusetts, is known for its strong STEM programs and project-based learning approach, while UNC, a public research university in North Carolina, boasts a wide range of academic offerings and a vibrant college town atmosphere. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to distinct student populations and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Location	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	Worcester, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.4%	60.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	$70
SAT range	1140 - 1380	N/A
ACT range	22 - 27	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	12.0%
Total number of applicants	50,729	11,092
Total number of admissions given out	10,348	6,679
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,690	1,410
Yield rate	45.3%	21.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633	$74,271
Average net price	$11,508	$48,230
Tuition	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882	$54,640
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004	Room/dormitory: $9,250 Meal plan: $7,030
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	42.0% Average amount $16,076	98.0% Average amount $23,821
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,244	51.0% Average amount $5,212
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $14,032	39.0% Average amount $13,871

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	5,224 Men 60.3% Women 39.7%
Graduate students	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%	2,006 Men 68.8% Women 31.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.2%	N/A
International students	6.8%	13.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	9,984	2,508
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania	Connecticut New York New Hampshire New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Engineering Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Business Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.5%	87.2%
Dropout rate	3.7%	12.2%
Transferred out	5.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $168,979 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $238,213 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,965 Year 2: $127,836 Year 3: $150,089 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,248 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $128,102 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,961 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $117,488 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,271 Year 2: $86,036 Year 3: $96,602 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,162 Year 2: $72,083 Year 3: $95,204 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,938 Year 2: $73,823 Year 3: $89,917 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,557 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $87,057 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,899 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $86,155 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,205 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $82,520	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 the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?

WPI is renowned for its project-based learning approach, emphasizing STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and robotics. UNC Chapel Hill, on the other hand, offers a broader range of academic programs, including strong liberal arts, journalism, business, and medicine programs, alongside its STEM offerings. WPI is very focused on technical education, while UNC provides a more comprehensive university experience.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

WPI has a smaller, more tight-knit campus community focused on academics and project work. Student life revolves around clubs, project teams, and campus events. UNC Chapel Hill boasts a larger, more diverse student body with a vibrant social scene, including a strong emphasis on athletics, Greek life, and a wider array of extracurricular activities. UNC offers a more traditional large university experience.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

WPI generally has smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. UNC Chapel Hill, especially in introductory courses, may have larger class sizes, but also offers smaller, more specialized courses as students progress in their studies. WPI's smaller size translates to more direct interaction with faculty.
How do the research opportunities compare between WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

Both WPI and UNC Chapel Hill offer significant research opportunities. WPI's project-based curriculum naturally integrates research into the undergraduate experience. UNC Chapel Hill, as a major research university, provides extensive research opportunities across various disciplines, often involving graduate students and faculty-led projects. UNC's scale allows for a broader range of research areas.
What are the geographical locations and surrounding environments of WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

WPI is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a mid-sized city with a growing tech industry and access to major metropolitan areas like Boston. UNC Chapel Hill is situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a classic college town known for its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to the Research Triangle Park, a hub for technology and research companies. WPI offers a New England urban experience, while UNC provides a Southern college town atmosphere.
How do the admission requirements and acceptance rates compare between WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

Both WPI and UNC Chapel Hill are selective institutions. UNC Chapel Hill generally has a lower acceptance rate, making it more competitive to get into. WPI places a strong emphasis on a student's aptitude for STEM fields and project-based learning, while UNC Chapel Hill seeks well-rounded students with strong academic records and diverse extracurricular involvement. UNC is generally considered more competitive overall.
What are the career prospects and alumni networks like for graduates of WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

WPI graduates are highly sought after in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and technology companies. The alumni network is strong within these industries. UNC Chapel Hill graduates have diverse career paths across various sectors, including business, journalism, healthcare, and the arts. Its alumni network is extensive and influential across the nation and globally. Both schools offer excellent career support services.
How does the cost of attendance compare between WPI and UNC Chapel Hill?

WPI, as a private institution, typically has a higher tuition cost than UNC Chapel Hill, which is a public university. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly. It's important to compare the net cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board minus financial aid) for each institution based on your individual circumstances. UNC generally offers lower tuition for in-state students.
What is the 'WPI Plan' and how does it differ from a traditional semester-based system?

The 'WPI Plan' is WPI's unique academic system, which divides the academic year into four seven-week terms (A, B, C, and D). This allows students to focus intensely on fewer courses at a time and complete significant project work. UNC Chapel Hill operates on a traditional semester-based system with fall and spring semesters, offering a more conventional academic calendar. WPI's plan allows for deeper dives into specific subjects.
Are there specific programs or departments where one school is notably stronger than the other?

WPI is particularly strong in robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. UNC Chapel Hill is highly regarded for its journalism school, business school (Kenan-Flagler), and medical school. Consider your specific academic interests when evaluating the strengths of each institution. WPI excels in applied STEM, while UNC shines in a broader range of disciplines.

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