Princeton vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $77,266 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Ten years on, graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn noticeably more: $143K against $110K.
At 4.4% and 4.5%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $86,904 against $95,624.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 4.55% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $110K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $68,454 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 Princeton for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 4.55% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1530).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $110K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 96.4%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 28,232 |
| International students | 13.1% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 99% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Princeton or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $110K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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