.png&w=96&q=75){kind=small}
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the most influential science-and-engineering institution in the world. Admission is extraordinarily competitive — MIT admitted about 4.5% of more than 28,000 applicants, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1520–1570 and ACT scores of 34–36. MIT reinstated its standardized testing requirement and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, with computer science and engineering accounting for well over half of all degrees. The figures below are drawn directly from MIT's official Common Data Set.
See how MIT compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
MIT admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
MIT offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
MIT requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How MIT weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from MIT's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your MIT application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at MIT and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about MIT admissions
How hard is it to get into MIT?＋
Very hard. MIT admitted about 4.5% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 1,284 offers out of more than 28,000 applicants, with about 1,106 enrolling. Admitted students cluster at the very top academically: the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1520–1570 on the SAT and 34–36 on the ACT, and about 99% of submitted SAT scores landed in the 1400–1600 range.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for MIT?＋
MIT requires the SAT or ACT — it is not test-optional. Among enrolled first-years, the middle 50% scored 1520–1570 on the SAT (median 1550) and 34–36 on the ACT (median 35). A 1520 sits at the 25th percentile, so it is on the lower edge of the admitted range; nearly 99% of submitted SAT scores were 1400 or above.
What GPA do you need to get into MIT?＋
MIT does not publish an average high school GPA in its Common Data Set, so there is no official GPA cutoff to point to. In its holistic review, MIT rates academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record as important factors — especially strength in math and science coursework — alongside test scores, essays, and recommendations.
Does MIT have Early Decision or Early Action?＋
MIT offers nonbinding Early Action, not Early Decision. Its Early Action is also non-restrictive, so applying early to MIT does not bar you from applying to other schools, and because it is nonbinding you are not committed to enroll if admitted. MIT reports a single overall admit rate of about 4.5%; it does not break out a separate early-round funnel in its Common Data Set.
What does MIT look for in applicants?＋
In MIT's own admissions review, character and personal qualities is the single factor rated 'very important.' A large group of factors are rated 'important,' including rigor of your high school record, academic GPA, standardized test scores, the application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and talent or ability. Class rank, work experience, and first-generation status are 'considered,' while alumni relation and demonstrated interest are not considered at all.
How much does MIT cost, and how much financial aid do students get?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $64,730 per year before housing and food, with on-campus housing and meals adding roughly $21,264. MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need: about 54% of students receive aid, and the average need-based package is around $69,036 — larger than tuition and fees alone.
What are the most popular majors at MIT?＋
Computer science is the single most popular field at about 29% of bachelor's degrees, followed closely by engineering at 27%. Mathematics (14%), interdisciplinary programs (9%), and the physical sciences (7%) round out the most common areas — meaning computer science and engineering together account for well over half of all degrees.
How big is MIT, and what is the student-to-faculty ratio?＋
MIT is small for a major research university, with about 4,535 undergraduates and a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It is also highly residential and stable: roughly 100% of first-years live on campus, the first-year retention rate is about 99%, and the six-year graduation rate is about 96%.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with MIT. Banner photo by Madcoverboy, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).