Cornell vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
On both axes at once the winner is Massachusetts Institute of Technology: lower tuition ($64,730 against $72,270) and a higher median salary ($143K against $104K, Cornell).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.5% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1550.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 86.1% of them enrol, against 63.9%.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 8.41% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $104K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $72,270 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Cornell for: lower graduate debt.
Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 8.41% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1540).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $104K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 95.4%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $72,270); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 28,232 |
| International students | 10.3% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 99% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $104K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Harvard
Stanford
Princeton
Yale
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina
Duke