Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) vs Berkeley
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) stand as two of the most prestigious universities in the world, each offering a unique educational experience. MIT, a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its rigorous academics, particularly in STEM fields, while UC Berkeley, a public research university in Berkeley, California, boasts a diverse range of academic programs and a vibrant campus culture. With acceptance rates of 4.1% and 16.3%, respectively, both institutions are highly selective, attracting top students from around the globe. MIT's student body is predominantly male (63%) and Asian (43%), while UC Berkeley's student body is more gender-balanced (51% female) and ethnically diverse (38% Asian, 26% White, 15% Hispanic/Latino). Explore the comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two exceptional universities and discover which one aligns best with
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![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
![]() University of California-Berkeley |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Berkeley, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | 96.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.1% | 14.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 33,240 | 112,843 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,365 | 16,295 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,177 | 6,931 |
Yield rate | 86.2% | 42.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $58,920 |
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
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Average net price | $30,958 | $17,652 |
Tuition | $55,510 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
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$20,236 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 16.9% |
International students | 29.2% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 6,280 | 9,630 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 96.2% | 92.8% |
Dropout rate | 3.0% | 6.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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