MIT vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Stanford University 6:1.

MIT vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($20,996 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 4.9% lower than at Stanford University ($20,280 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,514 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Stanford than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,514 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($62,755 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is the same as at Stanford (1550).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Stanford).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Stanford - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have the same average high school GPA (3.96) as students at Stanford (3.96).
• MIT has a higher acceptance rate (4.5%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

MIT vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford 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 $19,200 more per year than Stanford graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $122,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $4,841 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($12,475 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($128 vs. $179).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.