Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5% of applicants, while Illinois Urbana-Champaign admits 42.4%.
Real money goes to international students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($77,266 on average), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign stops at $5,836.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Massachusetts Institute of Technology lists $86,904 against $57,284 (Illinois Urbana-Champaign), but after average aid what remains is $18,546 against $34,067.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $143K against $81K.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 42.37% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#55 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $81K). Illinois Urbana-Champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,400 vs $64,730 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign for: lower tuition, 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 42.37% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1470).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $81K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 85.1%).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,400 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #55 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #46 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.37% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 73,742 | 28,232 |
| International students | 14.9% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $55K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 85.1% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 94.8% | 99% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $38,400 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $23,217 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 0.8% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,395 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 59,238 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 42.37% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,400 per year at Illinois Urbana-Champaign and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #55 for Illinois Urbana-Champaign vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $23,217 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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