What makes MIT different
- Mind and hand. Dozens of makerspaces and hands-on classes where students build things and make them work.
- Research for most. Nearly 65% of undergraduates do research each year through UROP.
- Housing with its own cultures. Students choose where they live, and each living group has its own traditions.
What MIT students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): computer science (323), mechanical engineering (104), mathematics (98), electrical and electronics engineering (58), aerospace engineering (55) and physics (49). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at MIT if…
- You like building, testing and fixing things.
- You're drawn to engineering, computing, math or the sciences.
- You'd like a quirky, collaborative community.
Worth asking about
- What does the first-year core include?
- How do students find a UROP project?
How MIT compares with similar universities
MIT admitted 4.5% of applicants for fall 2024 and is one of two schools in this group without early decision. See early decision, early action and test policies at all 19 universities.
FAQ
What is MIT's acceptance rate? 4.6% for fall 2025: 1,334 of 29,281 first-year applicants were admitted, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. Source For fall 2024 it was 4.5%.
Does MIT have early decision? MIT doesn't offer early decision. Its non-binding Early Action differs from Regular Action only in dates, and MIT says there's no strategic advantage to either. Source
Does MIT require the SAT or ACT? Yes. MIT requires the SAT or ACT for first-year applicants. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does MIT charge out-of-state tuition? No. MIT is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $62,396 a year before aid. About 79% of first-year students came from outside Massachusetts.
How much is MIT tuition per semester? About $31,198 a semester, half the published $62,396 a year, before aid.
Is MIT an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to MIT? About 4,500 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is MIT known for? Engineering, computing and science, hands-on learning, and campus hacks.
How much does MIT cost? Published tuition and fees are $62,396 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $82,730. Students who received aid paid $20,338 a year on average.
Wondering if engineering fits you?
Lens's Major Ideas suggest which areas may suit your interests and strengths. Start with Lens →