From job opportunities to cost of living to a burgeoning culture scene, learn why National Public Radio's recently declared Worcester to be the new "it" town.
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.
And how do you pronounce it?
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.
Why Worcester?
- 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. 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.
In the News
Calling it “a remarkable year at WPI,” this Telegram & Gazette editorial highlighted the university’s inventions and other accomplishments. The T&G referred to “an expanding focus on innovation and entrepreneurship that has been part of the college’s DNA going back to its founding but which is reaching a new level under President Laurie Leshin.” Todd Keiller, director of WPI’s Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation, told the newspaper that Leshin supports “a cycle of innovation and entrepreneurship,” benefiting both WPI and the community.
