Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5% of applications, West Virginia admits 89%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 11.7% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards international students $77,266 on average, West Virginia awards $21,636.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Massachusetts Institute of Technology starts at $86,904 against $47,480 and ends at $18,546 against $30,750 (West Virginia).
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 89% 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 $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia for: lower tuition.
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 89% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1110).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $56K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #3 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #2 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.55% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 86.1% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 28,232 | 20,150 |
| International students | 11.7% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $143K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $243K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,730 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,358 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,488 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $75 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 11,886 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or West Virginia?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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