Higher Learning
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A+

Grade

5%

Acceptance

$21,519

Net Price

1510-1580

SAT Range

location_on Cambridge, MA
• www.mit.edu •
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What the School is Known For

From the School

MIT has defined the frontier of science and engineering education since 1861, with a culture that prizes hands-on discovery and entrepreneurial thinking. The Institute's motto, Mens et Manus — Mind and Hand — reflects a commitment to learning through doing, from undergraduate research opportunities to world-changing startup incubators.

Beyond the labs and lecture halls, MIT is home to a community of makers and dreamers who have founded thousands of companies and pioneered technologies that shape daily life worldwide. MIT graduates have led the development of the internet, GPS, and breakthrough cancer treatments.

The Student Body

From the School

MIT enrolls approximately 11,500 students — roughly 4,600 undergraduates and 6,900 graduate students — representing all 50 states and more than 130 countries. The student body is intensely curious, collaborative, and driven by a shared conviction that difficult problems are worth solving.

Students at MIT often describe a culture of extreme rigor balanced by a robust tradition of hacking — creative, benign pranks that celebrate ingenuity and community spirit. That combination of seriousness and playfulness defines the MIT experience.

Getting In

From the School

MIT's acceptance rate is approximately 4%, making it one of the most selective universities in the world. Admission is holistic; the committee looks for students who demonstrate exceptional ability in science or mathematics alongside genuine curiosity and a collaborative spirit.

Applicants must submit two teacher evaluations, a counselor recommendation, and several short personal essays. MIT has no legacy preference in admissions, and the Institute meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.

Academic Programs & Research

From the School

MIT is organized into five schools — Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, Management, and Science — offering more than 80 subjects and 50 minors. Course 6, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, is the most popular and the foundation for countless technology careers.

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) connects students with faculty-led research projects as early as freshman year. More than 90% of MIT undergraduates participate in UROP before they graduate, making genuine research experience a defining feature of the degree.

Life on Campus

From the School

Life at MIT is intense but deeply social — student houses and independent living groups create tight-knit communities that persist long after graduation. With over 500 student organizations, there are clubs for nearly every interest, from a cappella and improv comedy to robotics competitions.

Boston and Cambridge offer world-class cultural resources just steps from campus, and MIT's location along the Charles River provides outstanding opportunities for crew, sailing, and outdoor recreation year-round.

Living & Getting Involved

From the School

First-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing and participate in a Residence Exploration period that helps them find the living community that fits them best. MIT's residential system spans traditional dormitories, a sorority, and independent living groups, each with a distinct culture and character.

Many residential houses have their own dining, study spaces, and social programming. Students frequently describe choosing their dorm as one of the most formative decisions of their MIT experience, shaping friendships and routines for all four years.

Athletics & Recreation

From the School

MIT fields 31 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division III. Over a quarter of undergraduates participate in varsity sports — a higher proportion than almost any research university in the country — and the sailing and crew programs are consistently among the nation's best.

In addition to varsity athletics, MIT operates extensive intramural and club sports programs, multiple fitness centers, and one of the finest sailing programs in the country on the Charles River.

Student Support Services

From the School

MIT's Student Support Services (S3) office provides personalized guidance for academic difficulties, personal challenges, and leave-of-absence planning. A network of advisors, tutors, and peer mentors ensures students have access to help from the moment they arrive on campus.

The MIT Libraries system includes 11 branches and one of the deepest digital collections in the world. The MIT Technology Licensing Office and Deshpande Center help students and researchers bring discoveries to market.

Wellness & Mental Health

From the School

MIT Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free short-term therapy, crisis support, and referrals to long-term providers. MIT has significantly expanded mental health resources in recent years, including embedded counselors in each residential house.

MindHandHeart is MIT's campus-wide mental health initiative, promoting a culture where students, faculty, and staff actively support one another's wellbeing through programming, peer support networks, and community dialogue.

Plan a Campus Visit

From the School

MIT runs daily information sessions and guided walking tours through its Office of Admissions, covering highlights such as the Infinite Corridor, the Stata Center, and MIT's famous hacked dome. Virtual tours and recorded information sessions are available for those who cannot visit in person.

Visiting students are encouraged to attend a class, grab a meal at one of the dining halls, and speak with a current student ambassador for an unfiltered view of daily life at the Institute.

Career Outcomes & Placement

From the School

More than 95% of MIT graduates are employed or enrolled in a graduate program within six months of commencement, with a median starting salary among the highest of any university in the country. The MIT Career Advising and Professional Development office connects students with thousands of employers across every industry.

MIT alumni have co-founded more than 30,000 active companies — including major names in technology, biotechnology, and finance — employing millions of people worldwide. The alumni network is one of the most powerful professional resources a graduate can access.

Fields of Study

From the School

MIT's most popular undergraduate programs are Computer Science and Engineering (Course 6), Mechanical Engineering (Course 2), Mathematics (Course 18), and Economics (Course 14). The flexible curriculum allows students to combine subjects across all five schools.

MIT does not operate a traditional college of arts and sciences. Instead, the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is integrated into every MIT degree, requiring technically focused students to develop communication, ethical reasoning, and humanistic thinking alongside their core discipline.

Cost of Attendance

From the School

Undergraduate tuition at MIT is approximately $59,750 per year, with room, board, and fees bringing the total cost of attendance to roughly $82,000 annually. Fewer than half of MIT undergraduates pay the full sticker price, thanks to the Institute's robust need-based financial aid program.

MIT charges a single tuition rate with no differential by program or residency status — all undergraduates pay the same rate whether they come from Massachusetts or abroad.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

From the School

MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted undergraduate, with no loans required — aid is provided exclusively through grants, scholarships, and work-study. Families with annual incomes under $90,000 typically pay nothing; those between $90,000 and $140,000 contribute a modest percentage of income.

Graduate students have access to research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and department grants. MIT's commitment to affordability ensures that cost is not a barrier to pursuing an education at the Institute.

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