Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has an acceptance rate of 4.5%, average net price of $20,111, and a national rank of #2 (Grade A+), with a 96.4% six-year graduation rate, and median earnings of $131,633 six years after enrollment. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit university in Cambridge, MA. Students most often pursue Mathematics and Computer Science.
Academically, students benefit from a 3:1 student-faculty ratio. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 152.8%, roughly 102.9 points higher than typical outcomes. It's a compelling fit for ambitious students who thrive in an elite, research-powered setting and career-focused learners aiming for high-impact outcomes.
Who is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates 96.4% of students within six years and does not report first-year retention. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Massachusetts Institute of Technology's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | Not reported |
| Books and Supplies | Not reported |
| On-Campus Room and Board | Not reported |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | Not reported |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $82,730 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: Only 0.0% of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students receive Pell Grants — far below the national average, underscoring equity challenges.
ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $131,633
- 10-Year Median Earnings $131,633
- Average Years to Graduate 4.3 years
- Average Student Debt $12,462
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 91.8%
- Employment Rate 76.7%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Massachusetts Institute of Technology's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Massachusetts Institute of Technology's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: With a 152.8% return on investment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers exceptional value. Graduates earn $131,633 median—+201% above the national average—making this a strong investment for career-focused students.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 740-780
- SAT Math 780-800
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 34-36
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 0
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate Not reported
- Graduation Rate 96.4%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 3:1
How to Get Into Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 4.5%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is extremely selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 4.5% acceptance rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is extremely selective. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their class. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1520 and 1580 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Massachusetts Institute of Technology undergraduates. Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics draw the most students.
- Computer Science 32.5%
- Mechanical Engineering 11.3%
- Mathematics 8.6%
- Physics 6.4%
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space E 4.1%
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering 3.8%
See more majors
- Economics 3.5%
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engine 3.4%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Mathematics $226,193
- 2. Computer Science $220,064
- 3. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $190,731
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Business/Commerce, General $142,355
- 5. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $138,934
- 6. Physics $126,258
- 7. Mathematics and Computer Science $126,153
- 8. Chemical Engineering $124,650
- 9. Mechanical Engineering $106,765
- 10. Biomedical/Medical Engineering $106,402
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degree) $264,269
- 2. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degree) $250,263
- 3. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degree) $204,731
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Systems Engineering (Master's Degree) $194,940
- 5. Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Doctoral Degree) $170,826
- 6. Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degree) $167,643
- 7. Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degree) $159,366
- 8. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degree) $156,904
- 9. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degree) $155,401
- 10. Real Estate Development (Master's Degree) $142,235
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Mathematics grads earn $226,193—113% more than Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($106,402). Graduate: Business/Commerce, General programs lead with $264,269 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degree, 676 graduates)
- Computer Science (Bachelor's Degree, 424 graduates)
- Computer Science (Master's Degree, 239 graduates)
- Systems Engineering (Master's Degree, 177 graduates)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 147 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (36 programs)▼
- Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Economics
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Biology, General
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Materials Engineering
- Chemistry
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Architecture
- Philosophy
- Nuclear Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Music
- Political Science and Government
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Communication and Media Studies
- Civil Engineering
- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- English Language and Literature, General
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Science, Technology and Society
- Anthropology
- History
Online Master's Degrees (36 programs)▼
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Computer Science
- Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
- Civil Engineering
- Business/Commerce, General
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Real Estate Development
- Chemical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Communication and Media Studies
- Operations Research
- Journalism
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Architecture
- Political Science and Government
- Materials Engineering
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Biology, General
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Cognitive Science
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Online Doctoral Degrees (33 programs)▼
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Biology, General
- Computer Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Materials Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Economics
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
- Operations Research
- Business/Commerce, General
- Political Science and Government
- Nuclear Engineering
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Civil Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Science, Technology and Society
- Philosophy
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Architecture
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Cognitive Science
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 0
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 0.0%
- Female Students 0.0%
- Caucasian 21.3%
- Asian 35.2%
- Hispanic 14.1%
- Black 7.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients 0.0%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Massachusetts Institute of Technology's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Massachusetts Institute of Technology support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a diverse student body, with 21.3% identifying as White. About 19.3% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Massachusetts Institute of Technology support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Massachusetts Institute of Technology stands among the nation's most elite, delivering a exceptional 152.8% return on investment though 435 institutions deliver higher returns at lower costs.
The institution achieves 82.8% four-year and 96.4% six-year completion ratesand maintains 99.1% first-year retention. However, the $20,111 annual net price positions this institution at the higher end of college costs. Post-graduation median earnings of $131,633 reflect strong career outcomes typical of selective institutions.
Value Analysis: Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Worth It?
Ranking #2 of 6119, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers a A+ overall grade with 99.9/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total).
For High-Achieving Students: Applicants pursuing careers where institutional prestige and professional networks drive opportunities—such as finance, consulting, law, and academia—benefit most from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's brand value and alumni connections. The school's reputation provides career acceleration that may justify the premium cost for specific fields.
Financial Aid Recipients: Students receiving substantial need-based aid (bringing actual costs below $10,056 annually) access elite education at a competitive price point. Pell-eligible students often pay less here than at many public universities.
Alternative Considerations: Students in fields where skills and credentials matter more than brand name—particularly STEM, healthcare, and technical fields—should compare outcomes against public research universities offering similar education at 40-60% lower cost. Our data shows 435 institutions deliver superior ROI metrics.
Bottom Line: Massachusetts Institute of Technology excels in reputation and student experience, reflected in its 99.1% retention rate. However, value-conscious students should weigh the $20,111 annual investment against 435 alternatives offering stronger financial returns. The "best" choice depends on your field, financial situation, and career goals—not rankings alone.
Key Takeaways
- 96.4% six-year graduation rate sits 33.9 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 99.1% first-year retention is 22.3 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- 152.8% return on investment is 102.9 points above the national 49.9% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $131,633 run about 201% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $20,111 is roughly $2,684 higher than the national median of $17,426.
Helpfulness for Students
- 3:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 99.1% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 76.7% employment rate within three years sits 8.5 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $20,111 is about $2,684 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a A+ from EDsmart. It is currently ranked #2 nationally Completion earns A+, Support A+, Career Outcomes A+, and Affordability B-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
The six-year graduation rate hovers around 96.4%. EDsmart calculates the ROI at 152.8%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $20,111 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $82,730.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $62,619 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $12,462 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
Pell Grant participation data is not reported.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Six years in, alumni earn roughly $131,633 at the median. That sits about 201% above the national median.
The three-year employment rate is close to 76.7%.
EDsmart lists the ROI at 152.8%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
4.5% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is 4.5%, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard admissions data.
How much does Massachusetts Institute of Technology cost?
At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the average net price after aid is $20,111. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology's ranking?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks #2 nationally in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of A+, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology's graduation rate?
At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the six-year graduation rate is 96.4%.
What are Massachusetts Institute of Technology's job outcomes?
Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology report median earnings of $131,633 six years after enrollment, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
Contact Information
- Address Cambridge, MA 02139-4301
- Website web.mit.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationNew England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Endowment$23.45B