Stanford vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Stanford awards international students $85,424 on average, Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards $77,266.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $143K against $124K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.8% and 4.5%), 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: 1550 and 1550.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 4.55% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $124K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $68,574 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a larger aid package.
Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 4.55% acceptance).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $124K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 91.9%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | - |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 28,232 |
| International students | 13.1% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 99% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $100 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Stanford or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $124K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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