The Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degree programs. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – …The Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degree programs. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".