Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
AMHERST, MA
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Massachusetts institute of technology vs Rensselaer polytechnic institute — 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Amherst, MA
World rank · ARWU#501-600
Acceptance63.5%
Median SAT1456
Graduation rate83.6%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$102K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
#3 World rank · ARWU #501-600
#2 Rank · THE —
4.5% Acceptance rate 63.5%
1560 Median SAT 1456
96.4% Graduation rate 83.6%
11,886 Enrollment 6,761

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

4.5% Acceptance rate 63.5%
86.1% Yield rate 39.7%
1560 Median SAT 1456
— Avg. GPA —
28,232 Number of applications 15,819
33% Int'l students 19%
$143K Median earnings · 10 yrs $102K
$154K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $86K
$243K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $137K
96.4% Graduation rate 83.6%
99% Retention rate 98%
$14,768 Median debt $23,750
$62,396 Tuition · year $64,081
$68,358 Avg. aid package $76,097
100% % of need met 100%
$29,488 Avg. graduate debt $29,149
$75 Application fee $75
— Avg. int'l aid —
At a glance
Massachusetts institute of technology leads in 8 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance4.5% vs 63.5%
Yield86.1% vs 39.7%
Debt$14,768 vs $23,750

EXPERT TAKE

Massachusetts institute of technology is the more selective of the two (4.5% vs 63.5% 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 $102K). Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $64,081 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 Rensselaer polytechnic institute for: a larger aid package, 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 63.5% acceptance); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher median SAT (1560 vs 1456).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $102K); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 83.6%).

Cost and aid

Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $64,081); Rensselaer polytechnic institute offers a larger average aid package ($76,097 vs $68,358).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

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

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Massachusetts institute of technology Rensselaer polytechnic institute
World rank · ARWU#3#501-600
Rank · THE#2—
Acceptance rate4.5%63.5%
Yield rate86.1%39.7%
Median SAT15601456
Avg. GPA——
Number of applications28,23215,819
International students33%19%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K$102K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$154K$86K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$243K$137K
Graduation rate96.4%83.6%
Retention rate99%98%
Median debt$14,768$23,750
Tuition · year$62,396$64,081
Avg. aid package$68,358$76,097
% of need met100%100%
Avg. graduate debt$29,488$29,149
Application fee$75$75
Enrollment11,8866,761

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

It's harder to get into Massachusetts institute of technology. Massachusetts institute of technology accepts 4.5% of applicants, while Rensselaer polytechnic institute accepts 63.5%.

Do Massachusetts institute of technology or Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn more?

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $102K.

How much is tuition at Massachusetts institute of technology vs Rensselaer polytechnic institute?

Sticker-price tuition is $62,396 per year at Massachusetts institute of technology and $64,081 per year at Rensselaer polytechnic institute.

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

The median admitted SAT score is 1560 at Massachusetts institute of technology and 1456 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Massachusetts institute of technology or Rensselaer polytechnic institute?

Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts institute of technology vs #501-600 for Rensselaer polytechnic institute.

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

The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts institute of technology and $76,097 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute.

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.