Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of Portland
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 13
- Portland Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs University of Portland's $28,210, 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.
51 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, 73% more than University of Portland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $8,099 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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Portland
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% of degrees); Portland in Health Professions (29%). 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 Portland. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $82,804.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Portland. Net price $20,111 vs $28,210.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Portland. 3.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Portland. 96% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Portland are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 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 Portland takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,560 to 1,277.
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 $8,099 a year below University of Portland's $28,210. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $21,370.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $32,396 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 $82,804 at University of Portland. That is a 73% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 73% 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 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 16% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.4%; at University of Portland, it is 0.9%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Massachusetts 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.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Portland leans toward Health Professions, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and University of Portland offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrollment of 4,535 far exceeds University of Portland's 2,957.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,210 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,370, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Portland's enrollment, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Portland, where only about 9% 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) 3 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 Portland
Portland, OR · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of just under 3,000 students, the University of Portland is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community while still accessing solid academic programs. Students here often dive into popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. An acceptance rate of 89% indicates that the university welcomes a diverse range of applicants, making it an appealing option for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $82,804 within ten years, which can be quite encouraging when considering job prospects. This earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. While nearly a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, the supportive environment helps many move up in their careers, even if specific mobility rates aren’t available.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid sits at $28,210, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $21,370, suggesting that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of student loans. Those who thrive here are often proactive, engaged, and looking for a collaborative atmosphere that values both academic and personal growth.
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 Portland leads with Nursing (BSN) (29%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Portland).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while University of Portland concentrates in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical. 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.
Massachusetts Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Portland?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 89% at University of Portland.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Portland?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $28,210 at University of Portland.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Portland graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,804 at University of Portland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Portland?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 80%.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of Portland: which is better for social mobility?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Portland?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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