Head-to-head · 2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Stanford University
Compare average net price ($20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; $13,807 at Stanford University), ROI score (17.82 vs 22.47), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($143,372 vs $124,080), and admissions selectivity (4.6% acceptance at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 3.6% at Stanford University) 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 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.82 | 22.47 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,111 | $13,807 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $80,444 | $55,228 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $62,396 | $65,910 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $62,396 | $65,910 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $143,372 ✓ | $124,080 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.6% | 3.6% |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% ✓ | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 99.1% ✓ | 98.2% |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,535 | 7,554 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1560 | 1553 |
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 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$2,533 | -$2,536 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $93 | -$193 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $1,480 ✓ | $3,212 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,555 | $11,092 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,479 ✓ | $53,882 |
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 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 22% | 11.6% |
| Computer Science | 17.8% | 12.5% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 7.4% | 3.8% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 5% | 3.9% |
| Economics | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| Applied Mathematics | 3.5% | 2% |
| Mathematics | 3.5% | 1.8% |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 3.3% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Stanford University reports the lower average net price by $6,304 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,216 difference over four years ($55,228 vs $80,444).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports $19,292 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($143,372 vs $124,080). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 99.1% at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 98.2% at Stanford University. Median federal debt among completers is $14,768 vs $12,000, 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Stanford University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Stanford University is cheaper — average net price $13,807 per year vs $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The annual difference of $6,304 adds up to about $25,216 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 $124,080 at Stanford University. The gap in the federal data is $19,292. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Stanford University is more selective at 3.6% 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.