Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 16
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $20,111 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,054 at ten years.
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, 77% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 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
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #3
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $5,756 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% of degrees); Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Engineering (21%). 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Net price $14,355 vs $20,111.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. THE World Rank #3 vs #33.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 96% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,560 to 1,440.
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, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,355, about $5,756 a year below Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $23,024 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 77% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 77% 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 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sits higher, at #3 versus #33.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign saves about $5,756 a year, yet Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn $62,318 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $20,111 runs well above University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 4,535.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where only about 56% 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.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
More than 36,000 students choose the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 42%, the university maintains a competitive edge while welcoming a diverse student body. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 85%, indicating a supportive environment for student success.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from Illinois Urbana-Champaign can expect solid economic mobility. The average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation reach $81,054, suggesting that degrees from this university translate into significant financial benefits. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s emphasis on high-demand fields like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science supports upward mobility for many graduates.
Cost considerations are crucial for students. The net price for attending is approximately $14,355, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, a figure that aligns with the financial landscape of public universities. Students who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields or business, benefiting from robust programs and a collaborative campus culture.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is featured on the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Technology's top program is Computer Science (35% of enrollment), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Massachusetts Technology
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 85%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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