Massachusetts Institute of Technology
#1 Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates- Graduation Rate
- 96% A+
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $143,372 A+
- Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $20,111 C-
- 17% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 5% A+
- Rejects about 95 of every 100 applicants
Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 39.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates.
Every $1 spent returns $39.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $3,073,979.
What The Data Says
-
An A- overall — top 12% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.
-
Graduates earn 252% more than the national college median.
-
A 96% graduation rate — 68% above the national average.
-
Inventor rate in the top 2% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
A top feeder school for 4 major employers.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 12.1%
- Top 2%
- Patents
- 1,058
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #3
- Times Higher Education
- Employer Pipelines
- 4
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 1,441
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 91/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Massachusetts Institute of Technology Matters
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, MA ranked #3 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity, a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 4,535
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences
Why students choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 5% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1520–1580. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,111 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $143,372 ten years after enrolling — 252% above the typical college, against $14,768 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 7% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.86 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Massachusetts Institute of Technology is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 5%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,560. The graduation rate is roughly 96%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 5%
- Retention Rate
- 99%
- SAT Average
- 1560
- SAT Range
- 1520–1580
- ACT Range
- 34–36
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $24,177
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 3:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.79
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 33,767
- Admitted
- 1,337
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is $62,396, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,111. For the lowest-income families, those earning under $30,000, need-based grants can fully cover tuition, leaving little or nothing to pay out of pocket. The median graduate leaves with about $14,768 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $62,396
- Out-of-State
- $62,396
- Avg Net Price
- $20,111
- Median Debt
- $14,768
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 7%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $-2,533
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $93
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $1,480
- Family Income $110K+
- $48,479
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Massachusetts Institute of Technology — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of $143,372, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $131,633
- 8 Years
- $135,278
- 10 Years
- $143,372
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.1x
- Earning > $25K
- 87%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (901)
- 87%
- 100% (901)
- 87%
- 100% (901)
- 87%
- 100% (901)
- 87%
Where Grads Go
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Boston Consulting Group, Inc. ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2025
- McKinsey & Company ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2025
- Amazon ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2025
- Bain & Company ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2025
- Verizon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- PwC/Strategy& ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2025
- Apple ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2025
- JP Morgan Chase & Co. ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2025
- Microsoft ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2025
- Moderna ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- NextEra Energy ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
How Massachusetts Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,111/year ($80,444 total). Graduates earn $143,372 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $3,154,423 in total earnings — a net gain of $3,073,979 (39.2× your investment). The median debt is $14,768, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 96% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,444
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $3,154,423
- Net Return
- $3,073,979
- ROI Multiple
- 39.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,111
- Median Debt
- $14,768
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 96%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Massachusetts Institute of Technology Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.40%, among the highest in the country. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 66.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $141,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.40%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 66.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $191,570
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Massachusetts Institute of Technology at #3 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 91/100, teaching at 98/100, and citation impact of 100/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #3
- Teaching
- 97.8
- Research
- 91.4
- Citations
- 99.9
- International
- 82.3
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 2% of U.S. colleges, with 1,058 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 91/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 12.07%
- Top 2% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 1,058
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1,441
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 91/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 100/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 88/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 4.04%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-2,056,207,000
Top Programs
The fields Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Computer Science & IT 35% $152,080 early-career
- Engineering 27% $144,040 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 10% $139,698 early-career
- Physical Sciences 7% $100,584 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $112,175 early-career
- Business & Marketing 2% $112,175 early-career
- Social Sciences 1% $131,744 early-career
- Humanities 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Massachusetts Institute of Technology's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 5%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,560. The graduation rate is roughly 96%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is $62,396, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,111. For the lowest-income families, those earning under $30,000, need-based grants can fully cover tuition, leaving little or nothing to pay out of pocket. The median graduate leaves with about $14,768 in federal student loans.
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of $143,372, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Massachusetts Institute of Technology Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.40%, among the highest in the country. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 66.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $141,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its economic connectedness score is 1.86, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Massachusetts Institute of Technology at #3 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 91/100, teaching at 98/100, and citation impact of 100/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA · Close peer94% grad $128,566 earn 3% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stanford UniversityStanford, CA · Close peer92% grad $124,080 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Strong match96% grad $100,533 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Strong match97% grad $101,817 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY · Strong match96% grad $102,491 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH · Strong match96% grad $97,434 earn 5% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its economic connectedness score is 1.86, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note