Head-to-head · 2026
Harvard University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Compare average net price ($19,066 at Harvard University; $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology), ROI score (13.35 vs 17.82), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($101,817 vs $143,372), and admissions selectivity (3.7% acceptance at Harvard University; 4.6% at Massachusetts Institute of Technology) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.35 | 17.82 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $19,066 ✓ | $20,111 |
| 4-year avg net price | $76,264 ✓ | $80,444 |
| In-state tuition | $61,676 | $62,396 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $61,676 | $62,396 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $101,817 | $143,372 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 3.7% | 4.6% |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% ✓ | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 98.3% | 99.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,000 ✓ | $14,768 |
| Enrollment | 7,601 | 4,535 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | 1560 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,697 | -$2,533 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,991 | $93 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,091 | $1,480 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,941 ✓ | $11,555 |
| Family income $110k+ | $53,337 | $48,479 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 3.3% | 22% |
| Computer Science | 2.1% | 17.8% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 0.2% | 7.4% |
| Economics | 3% | 2.6% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 0.1% | 5% |
| Applied Mathematics | 1% | 3.5% |
| Mathematics | 0.9% | 3.5% |
| Physics | 1% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Harvard University reports the lower average net price by $1,045 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,180 difference over four years ($76,264 vs $80,444).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports $41,555 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($143,372 vs $101,817). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.3% at Harvard University and 99.1% at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Median federal debt among completers is $14,000 vs $14,768, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Harvard University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Harvard University is cheaper — average net price $19,066 per year vs $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The annual difference of $1,045 adds up to about $4,180 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $143,372 vs $101,817 at Harvard University. The gap in the federal data is $41,555. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Harvard University is more selective at 3.7% acceptance vs 4.6% at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.