MIT vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MIT vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($20,996 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 10.8% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,096 vs. $20,280).
• Drexel University is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $16 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Drexel than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $16 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 76.1% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($61,734 vs. $35,051).

MIT vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or Drexel? 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 Drexel and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 210 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming MIT students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Drexel - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

MIT vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Drexel? 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $64,700 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,927 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($17,316 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($179 vs. $271).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

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.