Cambridge, MA · Private University
Is MIT Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$143,372
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$60,156
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,156
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$240,624
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
96.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,768
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,813
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn $98,372 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked by graduate earnings
161 graduates
34 graduates
61 graduates
42 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $199,774) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $48,125) is $151,649/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $199,774 | 3.3x |
| Mathematics | $180,882 | 3.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $172,897 | 2.9x |
| Physics | $166,156 | 2.8x |
| Mathematics and Computer Science(1yr data) | $126,153 | 2.1x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $116,182 | 1.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $103,135 | 1.7x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $99,843 | 1.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,799 | 1.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,644 | 1.6x |
| Materials Engineering | $89,925 | 1.5x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $48,125 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2.38x | $143,372 | Strong ROI |
| Princeton University | 1.84x | $110,066 | Good ROI |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 1.80x | $114,862 | Good ROI |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1.69x | $111,371 | Good ROI |
| Harvard University | 1.72x | $101,817 | Good ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Massachusetts Institute of Technology stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $143,372 10 years after starting — $98,372 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.