Massachusetts Institute of Technology ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$240,624
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$96,633/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
703%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, MIT graduates earn $109,923, which is significantly higher than the annual tuition cost of $60,156. The median debt for graduates is $14,768, and only 6.6% of students receive financial aid. The high earnings suggest a strong return on investment for MIT graduates.
Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $131,633, and after ten years, earnings reach $143,372. Given the high earnings and relatively low median debt, the debt-to-income ratio is favorable for MIT graduates.
With an annual salary that is nearly double the tuition cost, the break-even timeline for MIT graduates is very short. The high earnings potential, combined with a high graduation rate of 95.5% and a retention rate of 99%, indicates a positive financial outcome for most students.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$60,156
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,768
Median Earnings (5yr)
$131,633
Graduation Rate
96%
Receive Financial Aid
7%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $0 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $143,230 | 800% |
| Systems Engineering | $175,681 | 1069% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $213,235 | 1381% |
| Mathematics | $180,882 | 1113% |
| Applied Mathematics | $0 | N/A |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $125,550 | 653% |
| Physics | $166,156 | 990% |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,799 | 439% |
| Biology, General | $84,643 | 313% |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $116,182 | 575% |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
703%
20yr ROI
668%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
1174%
20yr ROI
505%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.