At $19,813/yr net price, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn $143,372/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $109,372/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,813 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,252 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $143,372/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$109,372/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 96.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,768 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,621/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,696/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,627/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $165,236 | $41,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $150,045 | |
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $137,214 | $44,052 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $127,993 | $11,077 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Doctoral | $126,504 | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Doctoral | $126,504 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $121,226 | $10,967 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $117,572 | $9,751 |
| Nuclear Engineering. | Doctoral | $112,923 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Doctoral | $112,885 |
The Risk Factor
96.1% of students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
MIT delivers one of the strongest financial returns you can find. You graduate carrying a median debt of about $15,000 and earn $143,000 a decade later. That debt is smaller than a single year's net price, and your earnings clear it within a few months of a first paycheck. The 96% graduation rate and 99% retention mean you are very likely to finish what you start, so the risk of paying tuition without a degree is low.
The payoff is real across every listed major. Computer science bachelor's graduates pull $128,000, electrical engineering $121,000, and math $118,000 , all with debt loads under $11,000. Even the lowest-paying program here, general business at $94,000, beats the median earnings at most schools. There is no weak bet among MIT's top programs, which is unusual. Economics and business run a step below the engineering and CS tracks, so if you are choosing between them for money alone, the technical majors pay more.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns $48-75k, you pay about $4,600 a year. At $75-110k, that jumps to roughly $13,700. Above $110k, you pay close to the full $46,600. So MIT is close to free for lower-income families and expensive for high earners, though even the full price is repaid quickly given the earnings.
MIT is a strong fit if you can handle the technical coursework and want engineering, CS, or math. The financial case is weakest not by major but by admission , it is hard to get in, and the numbers only help you if you do. If you want a broad liberal-arts education outside these quantitative fields, MIT's listed programs give you fewer options to weigh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology worth the cost?
MIT graduates earn a median of $143,372 ten years after graduation with relatively low debt of $14,768, making it one of the strongest ROI values in higher education. The net price of $19,813 after financial aid is manageable compared to earning potential.
What are the highest paying majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Business graduates from MIT earn the highest median salary at $165,236, followed by electrical engineering at $150,045 and systems engineering at $137,214. Even computer science graduates, despite lower starting salaries elsewhere, earn $127,993 from MIT.
How much student debt do Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have?
MIT graduates have a median debt of only $14,768, which is well below the national average. Strong financial aid brings the net price down to $19,813 per year for most students.
Does Massachusetts Institute of Technology have good financial aid?
Yes, MIT's financial aid significantly reduces costs with a net price of $19,813 compared to the full sticker price. The combination of aid and high graduate earnings creates strong value even for middle-income families.