Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Massachusetts Institute of Technology turns away the overwhelming majority (4.5%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 11.7% of students against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $77,266 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and $4,456 (Houston).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Massachusetts Institute of Technology lists $86,904 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $18,546 against $29,520.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 73.92% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #201-300). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, 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 73.92% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1240).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $62K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #3 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #2 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.55% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 86.1% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 28,232 | 31,716 |
| International students | 11.7% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $143K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $243K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 87% |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $64,730 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,358 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,488 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,886 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Houston?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Houston graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Houston?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Houston?
The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $16,450 at Houston.
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