Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
University of Central Florida
ORLANDO, FL
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Massachusetts institute of technology vs Central florida — 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
University of Central Florida
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Orlando, FL
World rank · ARWU#401-500
Acceptance40.1%
Median SAT1269
Graduation rate78%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$58K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Central Florida
#3 World rank · ARWU #401-500
#2 Rank · THE —
4.5% Acceptance rate 40.1%
1560 Median SAT 1269
96.4% Graduation rate 78%
11,886 Enrollment 69,338

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

4.5% Acceptance rate 40.1%
86.1% Yield rate 33.5%
1560 Median SAT 1269
— Avg. GPA 4.20
28,232 Number of applications 55,135
33% Int'l students 5%
$143K Median earnings · 10 yrs $58K
$154K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $51K
$243K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $86K
96.4% Graduation rate 78%
99% Retention rate 92.3%
$14,768 Median debt $18,190
$62,396 Tuition · year $22,467
$68,358 Avg. aid package $11,814
100% % of need met 65%
$29,488 Avg. graduate debt $20,529
$75 Application fee $30
— Avg. int'l aid —
At a glance
Massachusetts institute of technology leads in 9 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance4.5% vs 40.1%
Aid$68,358 vs $11,814
Tuition$62,396 vs $22,467

EXPERT TAKE

Massachusetts institute of technology is the more selective of the two (4.5% vs 40.1% acceptance). Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #401-500). Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $58K). Central florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,467 vs $62,396 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 Central florida for: lower tuition, 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 40.1% acceptance); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher median SAT (1560 vs 1269).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $58K); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 78%).

Cost and aid

Central florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,467 vs $62,396); Massachusetts institute of technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $11,814).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

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

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Massachusetts institute of technology Central florida
World rank · ARWU#3#401-500
Rank · THE#2—
Acceptance rate4.5%40.1%
Yield rate86.1%33.5%
Median SAT15601269
Avg. GPA—4.20
Number of applications28,23255,135
International students33%5%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K$58K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$154K$51K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$243K$86K
Graduation rate96.4%78%
Retention rate99%92.3%
Median debt$14,768$18,190
Tuition · year$62,396$22,467
Avg. aid package$68,358$11,814
% of need met100%65%
Avg. graduate debt$29,488$20,529
Application fee$75$30
Enrollment11,88669,338

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

It's harder to get into Massachusetts institute of technology. Massachusetts institute of technology accepts 4.5% of applicants, while Central florida accepts 40.1%.

Do Massachusetts institute of technology or Central florida graduates earn more?

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $58K.

How much is tuition at Massachusetts institute of technology vs Central florida?

Sticker-price tuition is $62,396 per year at Massachusetts institute of technology and $22,467 per year at Central florida.

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

The median admitted SAT score is 1560 at Massachusetts institute of technology and 1269 at Central florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Massachusetts institute of technology or Central florida?

Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts institute of technology vs #401-500 for Central florida.

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

The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts institute of technology and $11,814 at Central florida.

Compare Massachusetts institute of technology with
Harvard Stanford Princeton Yale Cornell Penn Johns hopkins Washington university Northwestern North carolina
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.