University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
In the realm of higher education, two prominent institutions stand out: the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). While both universities share a reputation for academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences for their students. UPenn, located in the heart of Philadelphia, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like business, engineering, and nursing. MIT, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its strength in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, attracting students passionate about innovation and research. With acceptance rates of 7.4% for UPenn and 4.1% for MIT, both universities are highly selective, ensuring a rigorous and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these prestigious institutions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
![]() University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.1% | 5.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$90
|
SAT range | N/A | 1480 - 1570 |
ACT range | N/A | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 49.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 33,240 | 56,332 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,365 | 3,304 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,177 | 2,418 |
Yield rate | 86.2% | 73.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $58,920 | $80,496 |
Average net price | $30,958 | $14,578 |
Tuition | $55,510 | $54,652 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
|
Room/dormitory:
$11,358
Meal plan:
$5,946
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
52.0%
Average amount $50,778 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
9.0%
Average amount $5,030 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,160 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
11,292
Men 44.7% Women 55.3% |
Graduate students |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
16,746
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 82.7% |
International students | 29.2% | 22.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,280 | 6,400 |
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 | Pennsylvania New York California New Jersey Florida |
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Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 96.2% | 96.2% |
Dropout rate | 3.0% | 2.8% |
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)
|
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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