In 2022, 18.1% of Worcester County students played sports on collegiate teams, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The county’s universities were represented by 2,471 men and 1,584 women who played for one or more sports teams in 2022. This does not include students playing intramural sports.
The largest number of students per institution in Worcester County (697) played for College of the Holy Cross during this period.
Worcester County paid a total of $17,263,900 in athletically-related financial aid during 2022.
Data shows that football was the most popular sport played, followed by soccer, and lacrosse.
Students who play sports often have higher graduation rates than non-athletes. More female than male athletes graduate.
The average institutional gift aid for student-athletes is $17,000, with 80% of them receive some kind of academic grant or need-based scholarship.
| Institution | Total Enrollment | Student-athletes Enrollment | Student-athletes ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Holy Cross | 3,005 | 697 | 4.3 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 5,010 | 671 | 7.5 |
| Assumption University | 1,879 | 584 | 3.2 |
| Nichols College | 1,111 | 532 | 2.1 |
| Clark University | 2,278 | 415 | 5.5 |
| Worcester State University | 3,572 | 381 | 9.4 |
| Fitchburg State University | 2,497 | 370 | 6.7 |
| Anna Maria College | 921 | 356 | 2.6 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | 2,177 | 49 | 44.4 |
