Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

MIT admits approximately 4.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 21 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places MIT among the most selective universities in the United States, competing directly with institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton for the most academically exceptional students.

The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the extraordinary difference between MIT's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, MIT's acceptance rate places it in the most competitive tier.

This level of selectivity means that even students with perfect academic credentials face significant uncertainty in the admission process. The majority of applicants who would excel academically at MIT will not receive admission due to the sheer volume of exceptionally qualified candidates.

Students considering MIT should understand that regardless of their qualifications, treating this as a reach school represents sound application strategy. This selectivity level requires applicants to build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic rigor and career outcomes.

MIT's published cost of attendance reaches $79,850 per year, including $60,156 in tuition, $19,390 for room and board, and $880 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $19,813 representing $60,037 in average financial aid savings.

This substantial discount reflects MIT's commitment to need-based financial aid and making education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. The net price of $19,813 compares favorably to the peer median of $27,143, indicating that MIT provides better value than typical institutions serving similar student populations.

Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from negative costs for the lowest-income students to $46,627 for families earning over $110,000 annually. This progressive pricing structure ensures that students from lower-income families receive the most substantial financial support.

MIT's financial aid approach prioritizes need-based assistance, with the goal of eliminating financial barriers for admitted students regardless of family economic circumstances. The combination of high sticker price and generous aid creates a system where actual costs depend heavily on family financial resources, making MIT accessible to students across the economic spectrum.

MIT graduates demonstrate consistent earnings excellence across multiple time horizons. Median earnings progress from $131,633 six years after enrollment to $135,278 at eight years and $143,372 at ten years, representing 8.9% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 650 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across MIT's diverse STEM-focused program portfolio. Graduates earn $59,026 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing MIT at the 99.6th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics and program mix.

This represents one of the largest positive earnings differentials tracked in our national database. Low-income graduates earn $132,300, ranking at the top 5% nationally and demonstrating that MIT's outcomes transcend family economic background.

Earnings span from $88,222 at the 25th percentile to $243,025 at the 75th percentile, with the highest earners achieving nearly three times the earnings of those in the bottom quartile. Approximately 26.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both advanced research careers and immediate workforce entry in high-demand technical fields.

MIT offers 14 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcomes assessment. Computer Science dominates both enrollment and earnings, ranking #3 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, producing 424 graduates with extraordinary median earnings of $199,774 and a value score of 98.9.

Algebra and Number Theory ranks #1 nationally, graduating 112 students with median earnings of $180,882 and a perfect value score of 100.0. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, with 44 graduates earning $172,897 annually.

Acoustics, a specialized program unique to MIT's strengths, ranks #1 nationally with 83 graduates earning $166,156. Mechanical Engineering rounds out the top programs, ranking #12 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts with 147 graduates earning $98,644.

Multiple additional programs including Bioengineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Materials Engineering hold #1 national rankings, reflecting MIT's comprehensive excellence across technical disciplines.