Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Stevens Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 29
- Tied
- 14
- Stevens Technology Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 32% more than Stevens Institute of Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $21,235 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,768, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Stevens Technology
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 4.3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% of degrees); Stevens Technology in Engineering (45%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Stevens Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $108,772.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Stevens Institute of Technology. Net price $20,111 vs $41,346.
Pick Stevens Institute of Technology over Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 4.3% mobility rate vs 3.4%.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Stevens Institute of Technology. 96% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Stevens Institute of Technology takes 48%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,560 to 1,446.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $20,111, about $21,235 a year below Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $84,940 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $108,772 at Stevens Institute of Technology. That is a 32% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 32% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Stevens Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 4.3%; at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it is 3.4%. Stevens Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Stevens Institute of Technology offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick Stevens Institute of Technology if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Stevens Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 4.3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Mathematics & Statistics, while Stevens Institute of Technology leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Massachusetts Technology competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,346 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Stevens Technology, where only about 43% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
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.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofit
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, is a great fit for students who are driven by a passion for technology and innovation. With 4,222 enrolled students and an acceptance rate of 48%, it attracts individuals looking for a solid education in fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and the Arts. One standout aspect is the school's high graduation rate of 88%, which speaks volumes about student support and engagement throughout their academic journey.
After graduation, students from Stevens can expect impressive earning potential, with an average salary of $108,772 within ten years of completing their degree. This financial success reflects the value of a degree from Stevens, especially in high-demand areas like engineering and tech. The cost of attendance can be manageable, particularly when considering the school’s financial aid options, though it's important to weigh the net price against potential earnings.
When looking at the practical aspects of attending Stevens, the net price after aid stands at $41,346, which means students should prepare for a significant investment. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $27,000. The environment here tends to be ideal for those who are eager to engage with their studies and are committed to making the most of their college experience. This is a community that thrives on ambition and collaboration, setting students up for success both during and after their time at Stevens.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology appear together in 10 rankings. On the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks #1 — Massachusetts Institute of Technology outranks Stevens Institute of Technology by 11 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Technology's top program is Computer Science (35% of enrollment), while Stevens Technology leads with Mechanical Engineering (45%).
Massachusetts Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Stevens Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Stevens Institute of Technology concentrates in Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 48% at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $41,346 at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $108,772 at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Stevens Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Stevens Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 4.3% versus 3.4%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stevens Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Stevens Institute of Technology if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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