MIT vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

MIT vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Penn? 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 Penn ($20,996 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 5.5% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,174 vs. $20,280).
• University of Pennsylvania is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $6,290 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Penn than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $6,290 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at University of Pennsylvania (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 6% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($65,458 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at Penn (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 35) as students at Penn (35).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Penn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Penn (3.95).
• Penn has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 68% at Penn.

MIT vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania'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 $18,500 more per year than Penn graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $123,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $3,317 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($17,316 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($179 vs. $213).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.