Stanford University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Stanford University is more selective with a 3.9% acceptance rate compared to Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 4.7%. Average SAT scores are 1553 and 1553 respectively.

Cost: Stanford University offers a lower average net price at $12,136, which is $7,677 less than Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,813). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median salary of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, which is $19,292 more than Stanford University graduates ($124,080).

Graduation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with a 95.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 97.8% vs 99.0%.

Campus Size: Stanford University is the larger campus with 7,841 total students, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology has 4,571.

Bottom Line: Stanford University wins on affordability while Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.