PrivateUrbanMassachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4301
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institution in Cambridge with particular strength in engineering and computer science. With an average SAT of 1553, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 4.6K undergraduates with a 3:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
96% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $143,372 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,813.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Engineers
History & Fun Facts
- •A charter for the incorporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, proposed by William Barton Rogers, was signed by John Albion Andrew, the governor of Massachusetts, on April 10, 1861.
- •Early developments Original Rogers Building in Back Bay, Boston, 1872 Two days after MIT was chartered, the first battle of the Civil War broke out.
- •After a long delay through the war years, MIT's first classes were held in the Mercantile Building in Boston in 1865.
- •In 1866, the proceeds from land sales went toward new buildings in the Back Bay.
Source: Wikipedia
Notable Alumni
Buzz Aldrin
Apollo 11 astronaut, second person to walk on the Moon
Kofi Annan
Former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Ben Bernanke
Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve
I.M. Pei
Pritzker Prize-winning architect
Richard Feynman
Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Jonah Peretti
Co-founder of BuzzFeed and The Huffington Post
Drew Houston
Co-founder and CEO of Dropbox
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1553
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Action
November 1
Decision by mid-December
Regular Decision
January 1
Decision by Pi Day (March 14)
Reply by May 1
SAT or ACT with writing required. SAT Subject Tests no longer required but recommended for some applicants.
MIT-specific essays and short answer questions required, including describing a significant maker experience.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 15
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Financial aid packages include only grants and student employment—no loans required.
Need-blind for all applicants: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
93.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.8%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$12,462
Academics
Research: World-leading research across all fields; students work alongside faculty on groundbreaking discoveries.
View all 19 majors›
Programs (107)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Employers
Top Graduate Schools
Top Industries
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
99%
Campus Life
More NCAA Division III teams than any other university.
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Dining
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
35
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from MA state average + city premium
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Amtrak
South Station (15 minutes by T) and North Station (20 minutes by T).
Walkability
Urban campus along the Charles River in Cambridge; highly walkable and bikeable.
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Admission Office
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-108, Cambridge, MA 02139
Nearby Attractions
Charles Riverwalkable
Scenic riverfront with walking/biking paths and sailing opportunities.
Harvard Squarewalkable
Historic area with shops, restaurants, bookstores, and street performers.
MIT Museumwalkable
Exhibits on MIT innovation, robotics, holography, and science.
Kendall Squarewalkable
Innovation hub dubbed 'the most innovative square mile on the planet'.
Boston
Downtown Boston accessible via Red Line T; museums, sports, dining.
Days out near Cambridge
NewTwo or three colleges you can see in one day around Boston, from real bookable tour times.
- Merrimack College · Southern New Hampshire UniversityTwo states46 days
- Gordon College · Northeastern UniversityBig and small44 days
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst CollegeBig and small24 days