Named after Worcester, England, it looks like it should be pronounced “Wore-sess-ter.” However, it’s actually pronounced “Wooster” (or, depending on your New England accent, “Wuh-stah”). Either way, the first “r” is mysteriously silent.
Worcester: It’s our first name.
WPI is located in the heart of Worcester, New England’s second largest city, about 40 miles west of Boston. With more than 38,000 students on 9 campuses, Worcester offers the charm and ease of a college town with the convenience of urban living—including a lively cultural scene, world-class restaurants, close-knit neighborhoods, beautiful parks, affordable cost of living, quality public schools, and easy access to area transportation.
Why Worcester?
A vibrant and historic city, and a hub for higher education and innovation, Worcester has much to offer WPI students, faculty, and staff.
- No.18 for best places to live to earn a high salary (Business Insider)
- One of the Nation’s Top 10 Up-and-Coming Tech Startup Hubs (Axios, 2017)
- Five-time recipient of the All-American City Award
- Top Third Most Educated Cities (WalletHub, 2017)
- No. 7 on “Best Small Cities for College Grads” (2013)
- No. 10 for Best City to Raise a Family (Forbes) and a Top 10 Best Cities for Families (Parenting)
Explore demographics, education, employment, income, and other trends in the latest Worcester Census Report.
Worcester Goes Green
Worcester is leading the way in going green in Central Massachusetts, and WPI is right in the thick of it. The university's sustainability efforts -- along with the city's -- are featured in a recent Worcester Magazine cover story. Read the story: “Going Green-Worcester and Central Mass are Leading the Way.”