Worcester Polytechnic Institute vs Wellesley College: which has better ROI?
Wellesley College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,984 in 2.8 years versus 3.1 years at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, on median earnings of $84,803 vs $103,470 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Wellesley College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $43,071 | $25,496 |
| Total net cost | $172,284 | $101,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $103,470 | $84,803 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $10,000 |
| Payback | 3.1 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $929,916 | $626,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Worcester Polytechnic Institute or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College, at $25,496 a year after aid versus $43,071 — a gap of $17,575 a year, or $70,300 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Worcester Polytechnic Institute or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report a median $103,470 ten years after entry, $18,667 more than the $84,803 at Wellesley College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Worcester Polytechnic Institute or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a difference of $17,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Wellesley College, against 90% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.