Penn vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
On both axes at once the winner is Massachusetts Institute of Technology: lower tuition ($64,730 against $71,236) and a higher median salary ($143K against $111K, Penn).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.5% and 5.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1553 and 1550.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 86.1% of them enrol, against 68%.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 5.4% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $111K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $71,236 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 Penn for: a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 5.4% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1550).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $111K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 96.4%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | - | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | - |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 28,232 |
| International students | 13.3% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 99% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Penn or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $111K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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