The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In fall 2025 it had 11,816 students: 4,561 undergraduates and 7,255 graduate students.[1] It is ranked 1st in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
Undergraduate tuition for 2026–27 is $66,720 a year, and MIT estimates the full cost of attendance at $92,760 before aid.[3] MIT says it is need-blind and meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students, foreign and domestic.[4] First-year applicants must submit the SAT or the ACT.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; the campus lies along the Charles River and the main entrance is at 77 Massachusetts Avenue[6] |
| Type | Private research university[7] |
| Founded | Chartered on 10 April 1861; first classes in 1865 in Boston; Cambridge campus opened in 1916[7] |
| Students, fall 2025 | 11,816 in total: 4,561 undergraduates and 7,255 graduate students[1] |
| International undergraduates, fall 2025 | 529 (listed as nonresidents in the Common Data Set)[1] |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 8 to 1 (Common Data Set 2025–26)[1] |
| Academic units | Five schools and one college: Architecture and Planning; Engineering; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; MIT Sloan School of Management; Science; MIT Schwarzman College of Computing[8] |
| First-year admissions, fall 2025 | 29,281 applicants and 1,334 admitted (about 4.6 %, our calculation from these two figures)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 1st[2] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026–27 | $66,720 a year ($33,360 for each of the fall and spring terms)[9] |
| Estimated cost of attendance 2026–27 | $92,760 before aid (tuition, fee, housing, food, books and personal expenses)[3] |
| Entry tests | SAT or ACT required; no cut-off scores[5] |
| Official website | mit.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About MIT
The state charter for MIT was signed on 10 April 1861. William Barton Rogers had proposed the institute to advance American industry through science. The first classes were held in 1865 in Boston’s Mercantile Building, and MIT opened its current campus on the Charles River in Cambridge in 1916.[7]
The campus covers 168 acres. It is divided by Massachusetts Avenue, and the main entrance, Lobby 7, is at 77 Massachusetts Avenue.[6][7] MIT’s education page names five schools and one college, listed in the table above, and refers to more than 30 departments.[8] In fall 2025 the university enrolled 4,561 undergraduates and 7,255 graduate students.[1]
How is MIT ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, MIT is 1st in the world. A press report on the edition says MIT “holds first place with a perfect 100”. Imperial College London and Stanford share second place on 99.2, Oxford is fourth, Harvard fifth and Cambridge sixth.[2] A second published list of the top ten gives the same order for the American institutions: MIT 1st, Stanford joint 2nd, Harvard 5th and Caltech 7th.[10]
One ranking is one view, and results differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings. See also the best universities in the USA.
What can you study at MIT?
MIT’s education page lists five schools and one college:[8]
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- School of Science
- MIT Schwarzman College of Computing
The page refers to more than 30 departments across these units but does not name majors or degree programmes, so check the departmental pages and the MIT catalog for the programme you want.[8]
How much does MIT cost in 2026–27?
| Item (undergraduate, 2026–27) | Amount per year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $66,720 |
| Student life fee | $420 |
| Housing | $14,090 |
| Food | $8,104 |
| Books, course materials, supplies and equipment | $930 |
| Personal expenses | $2,496 |
| Estimated total before aid | $92,760 |
These are the figures on MIT Student Financial Services’ cost-of-attendance page for 2026–27. A travel allowance is estimated separately and is not part of the total.[3] The Registrar lists the same tuition as $33,360 per term for the fall and spring terms.[9] The Common Data Set 2025–26 gives the same tuition of $66,720 and required fees of $420.[1]
Financial aid
MIT says it practises need-blind admissions and “meets full need for all students, foreign and domestic”.[4] Its affordability page states that aid aims to meet 100 % of demonstrated need. For families with a total income under $100,000 and typical assets the parental contribution is $0, and families with an income under $200,000 and typical assets have full tuition paid.[11] MIT states that domestic or international status “does not impact … the financial aid you are offered”.[12] Details are on the MIT affordability pages.
Graduate students
Graduate tuition is set separately; see the Registrar’s tuition and fees pages. We did not confirm a graduate figure for this profile, so none is given here.
How do you apply to MIT as an international student?
International applicants follow the same process as everyone else. MIT counts as international anyone without US citizenship or permanent residency, wherever they live or attend school; green card holders count as domestic only when they hold the physical card.[12]
- Tests: MIT requires the SAT or the ACT from first-year and transfer applicants. Both the paper and the digital SAT are accepted. The ACT writing and science sections and the SAT optional essay are not required, and there are no cut-off or recommended scores.[5]
- School records: a counsellor or equivalent official sends a Secondary School Report with a transcript covering three years of grades and any required external exams, such as the IB, A Levels or CBSE. Predicted grades may be sent. MIT does not convert foreign grades to the American system and has no country quotas.[12]
- Language: all application materials must be in English.[4]
- Timing: most applicants apply at the start of their final year of secondary school.[12]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Check the current dates on mitadmissions.org.
Which English test scores does MIT want?
MIT “strongly recommend[s]” an English proficiency exam for applicants who have used English for fewer than five years or who do not speak English at home or at school.[12] The minimum and recommended scores are:[5]
| Test | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (taken before 21 Jan 2026) | 90 | 100 |
| TOEFL (taken on or after 21 Jan 2026, 1–6 scale) | 5 | 5.5 |
| IELTS | 7 | 7.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 65 | 70 |
| Cambridge English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | 185 | 190 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 125 |
These scores are for first-year undergraduate applicants. MIT’s pages used for this profile do not state graduate language rules, so check the admissions page of your department.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does MIT cost for international students?
Is MIT need-blind for international students?
Yes, according to MIT. Its international admissions FAQ says MIT practises need-blind admissions and meets full need for all students, foreign and domestic.[4]
Do I need the SAT or ACT to apply to MIT?
Yes. MIT requires the SAT or the ACT from first-year and transfer applicants and publishes no cut-off scores.[5]
Which English test scores does MIT accept?
How is MIT ranked?
It is 1st in the QS World University Rankings 2027, ahead of Imperial College London and Stanford, which share second place.[2]
More about studying in United States (USA)
- United States (USA): best universities
- Study in United States (USA): complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United States (USA)
- California Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
Sources
[1] MIT Institutional Research: Common Data Set 2025–26 (enrolment and admissions as of fall 2025; costs for 2026–27)
[2] Bluesky Thinking: QS World University Ranking 2027, beyond the top 10 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] MIT Student Financial Services: Cost of attendance (2026–27 figures; page without a date)
[4] MIT Admissions: How do international students apply to MIT? (page without a date)
[5] MIT Admissions: Tests & scores (page without a date; lists TOEFL scores for tests before and after 21 Jan 2026)
[6] MIT Facts: facts.mit.edu (page without a date; enrolment figures also appear in the Common Data Set)
[7] Wikipedia: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (history and campus)
[8] MIT: Education (schools and college) (page without a date)
[9] MIT Registrar: Undergraduate tuition (2026–27; page without a date)
[10] Master Grad Schools: QS World University Rankings 2027 (article of 18 Jun 2026; top ten only)
[11] MIT Admissions: Afford (page without a date)
[12] MIT Admissions: International applicants (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.