MIT vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (11,946 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 Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

MIT vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or U of R? 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 U of R ($20,996 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 2.4% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,792 vs. $20,280).
• University of Rochester is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $4,684 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at U of R than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $4,684 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 35.7% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($61,734 vs. $45,500).

MIT vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or U of R? 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 U of R and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 70 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming MIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 15.4% at U of R.

MIT vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and U of R? 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 University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $71,100 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $7,184 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($17,316 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($179 vs. $253).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 79%)

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.