Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5%, Boston College admits 16.2%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 11.7% of students against 6.6% (Boston College).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards international students $77,266 on average, Boston College awards $39,634.
On both axes at once the winner is Massachusetts Institute of Technology: lower tuition ($64,730 against $73,508) and a higher median salary ($143K against $104K, Boston College).
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 16.19% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #501-600). 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 $73,508 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Boston College for: lower graduate debt.
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 16.19% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1500).
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 90.8%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $73,508); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #3 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #2 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.55% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 86.1% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,232 | 34,779 |
| International students | 11.7% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $143K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $243K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 96% |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,730 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,358 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,488 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 11,886 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston College 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston College?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston College?
The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $61,753 at Boston College.
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