Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are both known as two of the highest-ranked universities in the world. Stanford University is known for its teaching and research programs, particularly in engineering, economics, and the sciences. Stanford is located in the Bay Area of California, also known as the Silicon Valley. It admitted its first students in 1891 and now has around 7,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students. On the other hand, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT was established in 1861 as a way to increase laboratory instruction in the United States as a result of increased industrialization. The school’s mission is to encourage research, discovery, and innovation in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. The school enrolls around 4,300 undergraduates and 7,000 graduate students. In this article, we will compare both Stanford and MIT.
Admissions
Both Stanford and MIT are extremely competitive schools, meaning applicants will need strong standardized test scores, GPA, and extracurriculars. Stanford has an acceptance rate of about 4% and MIT has an acceptance rate of about 7%.
Statistics
Known for being two of the most difficult universities to get into, applicants will need strong test scores and GPA. The average SAT score for Stanford is 1440-1570, and the average ACT score is 32-35. Additionally, the average GPA is around 4.18. Meanwhile, the average SAT score for MIT is 1510-1570, and the average ACT score is 34-36. The average GPA is around 3.96. Having higher test scores and GPAs can give you a higher chance of getting accepted; however, their low acceptance rates still make it difficult.
Location
Stanford and MIT are located on opposite sides of the country. Stanford is in the Bay Area of California, 35 miles south of San Francisco. It resides on the San Francisco peninsula, in the heart of Silicon Valley. On the other hand, MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a city west of the Boston metropolitan area. MIT’s campus is considered urban, while Stanford’s campus is suburban. Additionally, Stanford’s location typically experiences much milder weather than MIT does.
Size
Both Stanford and MIT are similar in size; however, MIT has a smaller student body than Stanford. Stanford has around 6,994 undergraduates and 9,310 graduate students, while MIT has around 4,361 undergraduates and 6,983 graduate students. This totals up to approximately 16,304 students for Stanford, and 11,254 students for MIT. Stanford also has both a medical and law school, which MIT does not, which can contribute to Stanford having a larger number of students. Also, Stanford’s campus is 8,000 acres while MIT’s campus is 166 acres.
Rankings
As both Stanford and MIT are some of the prestigious universities in the world, you cannot determine which is the better school. Both schools are two of the best schools in the countries, and you cannot go wrong with where you end up going. However, a college that is the best fit for you matters because you are more likely to thrive in that environment.
US News: MIT (4), Stanford (6)
Forbes: Stanford (2), MIT (4)
Niche: MIT (1), Stanford (3)
Times Higher Education: Stanford (2), MIT (5)
Cost
Because both Stanford and MIT are private schools, tuition rates are high. Stanford’s tuition is over $55,000 a year and $78,218 with room and board. As a comparison, MIT’s tuition is $53,000 a year and $73,160 with room and board. However, most students that attend these universities do not pay full price because they receive financial aid. At Stanford, around 70% of students receive some type of financial aid, and 89% at MIT. Both schools are expensive, but they offer financial aid to help make it more affordable.
Academics
Going to both Stanford or MIT will undoubtedly give you a world-class education. Both schools have outstanding professors, research opportunities, and alumni networks. MIT has a more math/science/tech focus than Stanford, but MIT requires students to take a quarter of their classes in humanities/social sciences/ etc. In general, MIT is more research-focused on STEM subjects, while at Stanford, your peers may have different interests.
Student Life
Both Stanford and MIT are large, diverse, and attract a wide variety of students. Both schools have hundreds of student organizations, including Greek life, and you will likely find your group at either school. However, there are some differences between the Stanford and MIT student life.
School sports are much more popular at Stanford than at MIT. Stanford is a Division I school and attracts numerous athletes with strong athletic programs. At MIT, sports attendance is significantly less, and school spirit is not much prevalent as it is at Stanford. Another difference is campus life. At Stanford, 97% of undergraduates live on campus, while at MIT, 73% of undergraduates live on campus. Stanford is not located near any other university, while MIT is located a few miles from Harvard, Tufts, Boston College, and Boston University. As an urban campus, they have easy access to what Boston offers, while Stanford students do not have it that easily.
Overall, both Stanford and MIT are two of the most prestigious and wonderful colleges in the country. You cannot go wrong with where you decided to go because they both have great opportunities for you. At the end of the day, to figure out which school fits you better, you have to determine the college experience you are looking for. You can get an amazing education at either school, but it is likely that one will fit you better than the other.
Sources
CollegeSimply. “Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and Chance of Acceptance.” CollegeSimply, www.collegesimply.com/colleges/massachusetts/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/admission/.
CollegeSimply. “Stanford University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and Chance of Acceptance.” CollegeSimply, www.collegesimply.com/colleges/california/stanford-university/admission/.
Sarikas, Christine. MIT vs Stanford: Which University Is Better?, blog.prepscholar.com/mit-vs-stanford#:~:text=Although%20MIT%20has%20a%20smaller,students%20and%206%2C893%20graduate%20students.
Comments