Massachusetts Institute of Technology
About Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
MIT is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It specializes in science, engineering, and technology but also offers strong programs in economics, management, and architecture. MIT is home to Lincoln Laboratory and the MIT Media Lab, and its graduates have founded companies worth trillions of dollars combined.
Founded
1861
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Students
11,886
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
4.6%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
96.4%
Above national average
Tuition
$62,396
Per year
Avg Net Price
$20,111
After financial aid
SAT Average
1560
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$143,372
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 4.6 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$75
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 5
With a 4.6% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1560, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1560/ 1600
ACT Scores
35/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
96.4% complete their degree within six years
Retention
99.1%
4-Year Grad
88%
6-Year Grad
96%
Teaching Quality
3:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
99%
$/Student
$99.1K
Class Size
Small
88% of students graduate on time, and with a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$62,396
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$20,280
Books & Supplies
$910
Total Cost of Attendance
$82,730
After Financial Aid
$20,111
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-2,533
Receive Grants
19.3%
Take Loans
6.7%
Don't let the $62,396 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $20,111 after financial aid, a 68% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-2,533.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology fund their education.
While in School
19.3%
Get Grants
Free money
6.7%
Take Loans
Must repay
$53,870
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$14,768
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$157/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $14,768, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Gender
48.2%
Female
52%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
4,535
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
7,351
Graduates
25.9%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.9%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (48% women, 52% men). 25.9% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 11.7% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
MIT's 168-acre campus stretches along the Charles River in Cambridge, known for its distinctive Brutalist and modernist architecture. The Infinite Corridor connects most major buildings, and the campus is famous for its hack culture and rooftop traditions.
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
4,535
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
4-1-4 calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Charles River waterfront location
- +State-of-the-art labs and makerspaces open 24/7
- +Strong hacker culture encourages creativity
- +Easy access to Boston and Kendall Square tech hub
Cons
- -Architecture can feel cold and industrial
- -Intense academic pressure affects campus vibe
- -Limited green space compared to traditional campuses
- -Winter wind off the Charles River is brutal
MIT's campus is unlike any other — where else would students put a police car on the roof of a dome? The culture of building things and pushing boundaries extends from the labs to campus life itself.
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Massachusetts Institute of Technology fields 18 varsity teams with 940 student athletes, about 21% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
NEWMAC
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
18
Biggest: Rowing
Student Athletes
940
21% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
56% / 44%
527
Men
413
Women
15
Men's Teams
14
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technologyearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$143,372
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$154K
389 grads
1yr Earnings
Mechanical Engineering
$84K
141 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics
$109K
139 grads
1yr Earnings
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$117K
87 grads
1yr Earnings
Physics
$55K
79 grads
1yr Earnings
Cognitive Science
—
61 grads
Graduates start at $132K six years out, climb to $131K by year eight, and reach $143K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Massachusetts Institute of Technology
What is the acceptance rate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?▾
How much does Massachusetts Institute of Technology cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?▾
How much do Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.