MIT vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Cornell University 9:1.

MIT vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Cornell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Cornell ($20,996 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 4.2% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,428 vs. $20,280).
• Cornell University is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $6,918 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at Cornell than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $6,918 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Cornell University (59% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($61,779 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at Cornell (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Cornell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Cornell - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

MIT vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Cornell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at MIT is the same as at Cornell University (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $43,700 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $5,316 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($12,000 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($124 vs. $179).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.