Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
Brandeis University
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Massachusetts institute of technology vs Brandeis — US university comparison

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Cambridge, MA
World rank · ARWU#3
Acceptance4.5%
Median SAT1560
Graduation rate96.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K
Brandeis University
BRANDEIS
Waltham, Massachusetts
World rank · ARWU#301-400
Acceptance40.5%
Median SAT1462
Graduation rate86%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$77K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brandeis University
#3 World rank · ARWU #301-400
#2 Rank · THE
4.5% Acceptance rate 40.5%
1560 Median SAT 1462
96.4% Graduation rate 86%
11,886 Enrollment 5,205

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

4.5% Acceptance rate 40.5%
86.1% Yield rate 17.5%
1560 Median SAT 1462
Avg. GPA 3.90
28,232 Number of applications 10,462
33% Int'l students 34%
$143K Median earnings · 10 yrs $77K
$154K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $69K
$243K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $117K
96.4% Graduation rate 86%
99% Retention rate 87%
$14,768 Median debt $25,648
$62,396 Tuition · year $68,080
$68,358 Avg. aid package $57,507
100% % of need met 94.5%
$29,488 Avg. graduate debt $27,004
$75 Application fee $80
Avg. int'l aid
At a glance
Massachusetts institute of technology leads in 10 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance4.5% vs 40.5%
Yield86.1% vs 17.5%
Earnings$143K vs $77K

EXPERT TAKE

Massachusetts institute of technology is the more selective of the two (4.5% vs 40.5% acceptance). Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #301-400). Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $77K). Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $68,080 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 Brandeis for: lower graduate debt.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Massachusetts institute of technology is more selective (4.5% vs 40.5% acceptance); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher median SAT (1560 vs 1462).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $77K); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 86%).

Cost and aid

Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $68,080); Massachusetts institute of technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $57,507).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$34k$57k$80kMassachusetts institute of technologyBrandeis TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Massachusetts institute of technology and Brandeis highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Massachusetts institute of technology Brandeis
World rank · ARWU#3#301-400
Rank · THE#2
Acceptance rate4.5%40.5%
Yield rate86.1%17.5%
Median SAT15601462
Avg. GPA3.90
Number of applications28,23210,462
International students33%34%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K$77K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$154K$69K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$243K$117K
Graduation rate96.4%86%
Retention rate99%87%
Median debt$14,768$25,648
Tuition · year$62,396$68,080
Avg. aid package$68,358$57,507
% of need met100%94.5%
Avg. graduate debt$29,488$27,004
Application fee$75$80
Enrollment11,8865,205

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Massachusetts institute of technology or Brandeis?

It's harder to get into Massachusetts institute of technology. Massachusetts institute of technology accepts 4.5% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.5%.

Do Massachusetts institute of technology or Brandeis graduates earn more?

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $77K.

How much is tuition at Massachusetts institute of technology vs Brandeis?

Sticker-price tuition is $62,396 per year at Massachusetts institute of technology and $68,080 per year at Brandeis.

What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts institute of technology or Brandeis?

The median admitted SAT score is 1560 at Massachusetts institute of technology and 1462 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Massachusetts institute of technology or Brandeis?

Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts institute of technology vs #301-400 for Brandeis.

Which university offers more financial aid — Massachusetts institute of technology or Brandeis?

The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts institute of technology and $57,507 at Brandeis.

Compare Massachusetts institute of technology with
Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.