Bachelor's Degree in Robotics Engineering

Bachelor of Science
WPI students working on robotics project
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Study at one of the nation’s first and most established undergraduate robotics engineering degree programs

At a Glance

School & Department

School of Engineering
Department of Robotics Engineering

STEM-Designated Degree

Qualifies international students for extended U.S. work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT)

BS/MS Available

Accelerated five-year program

ABET Accredited 

Ensuring program meets highest engineering standards

Proven Career Success

Average Starting Salary: $84,571 (Bachelor's degree graduates)* 

Notable Employers: Amazon Robotics, SpaceX, Nvidia, Meta Platforms Inc., Boeing** 

*WPI Class of 2024 First Destination Survey **WPI First Destination Survey data (2020–24) 

Application Deadlines

Early Decision/Early Action I: Nov. 1 

Early Decision/Early Action II: Jan. 5 

Regular Decision: Feb. 1 

Explore This Degree

Options

Program Options

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science + Master of Science

Customize Your Path

Build your unique expertise through strategic elective choices. Focus your studies on the areas that align with your career goals and personal interests.   

Potential Minors 

Want to strengthen your robotics engineering degree with complementary skills? Consider a minor that aligns with your interests:

  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
Continue Your Studies
MS in Robotics Engineering
PhD in Robotics Engineering

Undecided? No problem. Apply now and explore before committing to a specific path. 

13:1

student-to-faculty ratio 

235+

student clubs and organizations

94%

of first-year students return for their sophomore year

#15

best career placement

The Princeton Review (2025)
Top 15%

best colleges for engineering in America

Niche (2025)
nearly 89%

of graduates are employed, in graduate school, serving in the military, or doing volunteer service 6 months after graduation (all degree levels)

class of 2024
Why WPI

What Makes WPI's Degree in Robotics Engineering Distinct

WPI's hands-on robotics engineering degree launches you into the world of automation and intelligent systems.

Through WPI's immersive seven-week terms and hands-on project work, you will pursue pathways to:

Design

robots from scratch for medical and industrial uses

Create

intelligent systems that sense, think, and act on their own

Develop

working robotics solutions with multidisciplinary teams

BUILD

a professional portfolio of completed projects at one of our 50+ project centers worldwide

 

CUSTOMIZE

your expertise by choosing a mix of electives or a concentration to match your interests

Collaborate

with teams across disciplines to develop solutions for today's complex challenges

Resources & Tech You'll Tap Into

Autonomous vehicle

Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute (AVMI)

Program self-driving systems in hybrid environments that combine simulation with real-world testing for ground and aerial robots.
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Small robot

Perception and Autonomous Robotics Group (PeAR)

Work on autonomous nano-drones that navigate using only onboard cameras and sensors—no GPS or external systems required.
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Robotic hand demo at WPI

Robotics Research Groups

Join one of 17+ specialized labs—from surgical robotics to swarm systems to soft robotics—and collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research.
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Research Opportunities 

  • Swarm robotics and multi-robot coordination 
  • Effective human-robot interaction 
  • Medical and surgical robot systems 
  • Motion planning and manipulation 
  • Autonomous drones for environmental monitoring 
  • Soft robotics and flexible materials 
Projects

Project-Based Learning Experiences

Apply robotics engineering theory and practice from day one. Build a professional portfolio with real work that matters.

At WPI, learn in an immersive environment where classroom concepts transform into hands-on projects, thanks to our intensive, seven-week terms. Complete increasingly advanced projects for industry partners and community organizations, both local and global. Present your solutions directly to organizations that will implement what you create.  

Below, explore real projects completed by robotics engineering students at WPI.

WPI students in robotics lab

Global Robotics Engineering Solutions

Students built machine learning systems that personalize education for thousands of Chinese university students.
📍Hangzhou, China

Teams designed technical education frameworks expanding mineral processing capabilities across southern Africa.
📍Windhoek, Namibia

Local Community Partnerships 

Students developed 3-D scanning and holographic-reconstruction technology to restore centuries-old artworks at the Worcester Art Museum.

Teams created interactive STEM platforms teaching environmental science through hands-on robotics activities.
📍Fitchburg, Mass.

Industry-Sponsored Projects

Students engineered robotic platforms that automate precision needle insertion for safer, more accurate ultrasound-guided biopsies.

Teams built mobile robotics systems combining wheeled locomotion with dynamic bipedal balancing for Analog Devices to test sensor integration and control algorithms.
Skills

Skills You'll Gain

Through WPI's robotics engineering degree, you'll build autonomous systems, design intelligent machines, and engineer the future of human-robot collaboration—preparing for high-impact careers at the forefront of robotics and automation. Robotics engineering grads go on to work at companies like Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics.

Explore opportunities to build skills such as:

Robot Programming, Planning, and Learning 

  • Write software in Python and C++ and use Robot Operating System to coordinate sensors, motors, and decision-making systems that make robots act independently.
  • Build neural networks with TensorFlow and PyTorch so robots learn from experience and adapt to changing environments in real time. 

Sensor Integration & Computer Vision 

  • Create computer vision systems with OpenCV to help robots recognize objects, track movement, and navigate spaces autonomously.
  • Combine cameras, lidar, and motion sensors into perception systems that work reliably in unpredictable real-world conditions. 

Mechatronics Design & Control Systems 

  • Design control systems using MATLAB and Simulink to make robots move with precision, balance dynamically, and handle objects safely.
  • Build complete robotic systems by integrating mechanical design, electronics, and embedded programming into working systems. 

Professional Excellence 

  • Lead cross-functional teams mixing mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to deliver working robots that solve real problems for companies and communities.
  • Present your robotics solutions to engineers, executives, and community leaders while ensuring your autonomous systems are safe, reliable, and ethically designed. 

Student Voice

"Project-based learning has continued to keep me engaged in my studies and allowed me to see the tangible results of what I've learned. It's made me more confident in talking about my skills and experiences to peers, faculty, and staff, and even during job interviews." —Blaise Schroeder '23, BS in Robotics Engineering 

Blaise Schroeder ’23
Blaise Schroeder ’23
BS in Robotics Engineering

Blaise strives to make positive changes for the entire WPI community. [...]

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Career

Robotics Engineering Career & Salary Outlook

Career Path 

Industry Sector 

Entry Level (0–5 years) 

Mid-Level (5–10 years) 

Senior Level (10+ years) 
Robotics Engineering  Autonomous Systems  Robotics Engineer 
$80K 		 Senior Robotics Engineer 
$115K 		 Principal Robotics Engineer 
$180K 
Autonomous Systems  Autonomous Systems  Autonomy Engineer 
$82K 		 Senior Autonomy Engineer 
$122K 		 Director of Autonomous Systems 
$180K 
Machine Learning & AI  Software & AI  Machine Learning Engineer 
$95K 		 Senior Machine Learning Engineer 
$142K 		 Principal Machine Learning Engineer 
$210K 
Mechanical Design  Manufacturing & Automation  Mechanical Engineer 
$78K 		 Senior Mechanical Engineer 
$117K 		 Director of Mechanical Engineering 
$175K 
Controls & Systems  Manufacturing & Automation  Controls Engineer 
$81K 		 Senior Controls Engineer 
$121K 		 Principal Controls Engineer 
$185K 
Robotics Software  Software & AI  Robotics Software Engineer 
$85K 		 Lead Robotics Software Engineer 
$125K 		 Director of Robotics Software 
$195K 

Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Preview
Cost

Financing Your Future

College is a great investment in your future—and we’re here to help you plan for it. Explore WPI’s cost of attendance and learn how our Office of Financial Aid can guide you through options for funding your education. 

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Start Building Your Future Today

WPI's simple formula helps students thrive: "Go to class. Do the work. Ask for help." With our robotics engineering degree, you'll gain the skills, experience, and connections to engineer robots that transform industries and improve lives. 

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