Wyman-Gordon Co. Long known as an industrial city, Worcester has in recent years become a center for medicine and health care, high technology, and biotechnology. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park, located in the city, has experienced phenomenal growth since its founding in 1986. The city's thriving music and theater communities perform in such outstanding facilities as Mechanics Hall, considered one of the finest concert halls in the country, and the 15,500-seat Worcester Centrum Centre arena. The 10 colleges and universities in and near the city comprise the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, which enables students, faculty and staff to be part of the kind of scholarly community normally associated with a large research university. Through the consortium, WPI students may enroll, without charge, in courses at other colleges if the University does not offer them, and make use of an interlibrary loan service.
Shuttle buses carry students between member campuses.