MIT vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Princeton University 5:1.

MIT vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than MIT ($15,313 vs. $20,996).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 0.1% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($20,250 vs. $20,280).
• Princeton University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $292 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Princeton than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $292 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($68,727 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is the same as at Princeton (1550).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Princeton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Princeton - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Princeton has a higher acceptance rate (4.6%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

MIT vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $28,200 more per year than Princeton graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $113,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $9,816 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($77 vs. $179).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.