Graduates earn among the highest incomes nationally, with outcomes that significantly exceed peer expectations.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
MIT graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression from early career through mid-career measurement points. Median earnings increase from $131,633 six years after enrollment to $135,278 at eight years and reach $143,372 at ten years, representing 8.9% growth between the six-year and ten-year marks.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduates from this institution significantly outperform peers — earnings are 127% higher than similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $14,768 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
MIT graduates demonstrate exceptional debt management relative to their earning potential and compared to peer institutions. Median student debt of $14,768 falls well below the peer median of $24,181, creating a $9,413 advantage that enhances long-term financial flexibility.
MIT delivers extraordinary return on investment, ranking at the 99.9th percentile nationally with among the highest scores we track. Graduates earn $59,026 beyond expectations at the 99.6th percentile, representing one of the largest positive earnings differentials in our database.
Approximately 26.4% of MIT graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both immediate workforce entry and ...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
MIT's highest-earning programs demonstrate the institution's comprehensive strength across technical disciplines. Computer Science leads with $199,774 median earnings and 424 graduates, representing both the largest program and highest earning potential.
Algebra and Number Theory produces remarkable $180,882 earnings for 112 graduates, showing MIT's ability to generate exceptional outcomes even in pure mathematics. Electrical Engineering ($172,897) and Acoustics ($166,156) round out the top-tier programs, with smaller cohorts reflecting specialized technical focus.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution at MIT shows substantial upside potential with strong downside protection. The gap between the 25th percentile ($88,222) and 75th percentile ($243,025) represents a 2.8:1 ratio, indicating meaningful variation in outcomes while maintaining exceptional floors for graduate earnings.
