MIT vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

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

Washington University in St Louis is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

MIT vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or WUSTL ? 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 WUSTL ($20,996 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 7.2% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($20,280 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,394 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at WUSTL than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,394 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Washington University in St Louis (59% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 7% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($66,080 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at WUSTL (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at WUSTL ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; WUSTL - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

MIT vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and WUSTL ? 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).

• The graduation rate at MIT is the same as at Washington University in St Louis (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $59,300 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,584 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($17,316 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($179 vs. $205).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL 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.