Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
University of Rochester
ROCHESTER, NY
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Massachusetts institute of technology vs Rochester — 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 Rochester
ROCHESTER
Rochester, NY
World rank · ARWU#151-200
Acceptance40.1%
Median SAT1488
Graduation rate85.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$79K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Rochester
#3 World rank · ARWU #151-200
#2 Rank · THE #127
4.5% Acceptance rate 40.1%
1560 Median SAT 1488
96.4% Graduation rate 85.4%
11,886 Enrollment 11,946

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

4.5% Acceptance rate 40.1%
86.1% Yield rate 15.4%
1560 Median SAT 1488
— Avg. GPA 3.70
28,232 Number of applications 21,384
33% Int'l students 37%
$143K Median earnings · 10 yrs $79K
$154K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $74K
$243K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $117K
96.4% Graduation rate 85.4%
99% Retention rate 90.7%
$14,768 Median debt $21,000
$62,396 Tuition · year $67,080
$68,358 Avg. aid package $60,879
100% % of need met 96.1%
$29,488 Avg. graduate debt $32,304
$75 Application fee $50
— Avg. int'l aid —
At a glance
Massachusetts institute of technology leads in 11 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance4.5% vs 40.1%
Yield86.1% vs 15.4%
Earnings$143K vs $79K

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 #151-200). Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $79K). Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $67,080 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.

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 1488).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $79K); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 85.4%).

Cost and aid

Massachusetts institute of technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,396 vs $67,080); Massachusetts institute of technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $60,879).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

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

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Massachusetts institute of technology Rochester
World rank · ARWU#3#151-200
Rank · THE#2#127
Acceptance rate4.5%40.1%
Yield rate86.1%15.4%
Median SAT15601488
Avg. GPA—3.70
Number of applications28,23221,384
International students33%37%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K$79K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$154K$74K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$243K$117K
Graduation rate96.4%85.4%
Retention rate99%90.7%
Median debt$14,768$21,000
Tuition · year$62,396$67,080
Avg. aid package$68,358$60,879
% of need met100%96.1%
Avg. graduate debt$29,488$32,304
Application fee$75$50
Enrollment11,88611,946

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

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

Do Massachusetts institute of technology or Rochester graduates earn more?

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $79K.

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

Sticker-price tuition is $62,396 per year at Massachusetts institute of technology and $67,080 per year at Rochester.

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

The median admitted SAT score is 1560 at Massachusetts institute of technology and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

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

Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts institute of technology vs #151-200 for Rochester.

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

The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts institute of technology and $60,879 at Rochester.

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.