MIT vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

MIT vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT or Vanderbilt? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Vanderbilt ($20,996 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 8% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,280 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $5,102 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Vanderbilt than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $5,102 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($64,404 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT or Vanderbilt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vanderbilt and MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Vanderbilt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Vanderbilt has a higher acceptance rate (5.9%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

MIT vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT and Vanderbilt? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $59,000 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $3,316 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($144 vs. $179).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.