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Arizona State University vs MIT

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

88.0% ASU acceptance
3.9% MIT acceptance
$126,520 ASU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Public
Founded
1885
Enrollment
83,446
Setting
Urban
MIT
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Private
Founded
1861
Enrollment
11,858
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition ASU saves $27,040
ASU
$31,200
MIT
$58,240
Acceptance Rate MIT more selective
ASU
88.0%
MIT
3.9%
Graduation Rate MIT higher
ASU
69%
MIT
95%
Avg SAT Score MIT higher
ASU
1230
MIT
1556
Starting Salary MIT higher
ASU
$60,100
MIT
$104,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric ASU MIT Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$31,200$58,240ASU
Tuition (In-State)$12,479$58,240ASU
Room & Board$14,000$18,590ASU
Acceptance Rate88.0%3.9%MIT
Graduation Rate69%95%MIT
Average SAT12301556MIT
Student-Faculty Ratio18:13:1MIT
Enrollment83,44611,858-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$46,890MIT
Starting Salary$60,100$104,800MIT
Endowment$1.5B$27.4BMIT
Campus Size1,695 acres168 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

ASU
$180,800
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
MIT
$307,320
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: ASU = $131,200 | MIT = $119,760. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

ASU Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringPsychologyBiologySupply Chain

MIT Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringMathematicsPhysicsBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
ASUUrban
MITUrban
Campus Size
ASU1,695 ac
MIT168 ac
Athletics
ASUNCAA D1
MITNCAA D3
Region
ASUWest
MITNortheast
Founded
ASU1885
MIT1861
Enrollment
ASU83,446
MIT11,858

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASU or MIT harder to get into?+
MIT is more selective with an acceptance rate of 3.9% compared to 88.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, ASU or MIT?+
At sticker price, ASU costs less over 4 years ($180,800 vs $307,320). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. ASU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while MIT offers $46,890/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for ASU and MIT?+
The average SAT score at ASU is 1230 and at MIT it is 1556. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do ASU or MIT graduates earn more?+
Graduates of MIT have a higher average starting salary ($104,800 vs $60,100). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
ASU has a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio while MIT has 3:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do ASU and MIT compare for campus life?+
ASU is located in Tempe, Arizona (urban setting) with a 1,695-acre campus. MIT is in Cambridge, Massachusetts (urban setting) with 168 acres. ASU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and MIT in NCAA D3.