MIT vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

MIT vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than MIT ($18,211 vs. $20,996).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 19% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($16,436 vs. $20,280).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 596.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $53,443 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 224.9% higher at MIT than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $43,193 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 491.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($61,734 vs. $10,432).

MIT vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 270 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming MIT students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Purchase College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

MIT vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $101,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,184 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($17,316 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($179 vs. $232).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

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.