Head-to-head comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology vs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Georgia Tech or MIT harder to get into?
MIT is harder to get into than Georgia Tech. MIT's 4.5% acceptance rate is lower than Georgia Tech's 14.1%.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Tech or MIT?
Georgia Tech costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Georgia Tech's average net price is $12,116 vs $20,111 at MIT.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
MIT graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $102,772 at Georgia Tech and $143,372 at MIT.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Georgia Tech | MIT |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 14.1% | 4.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1370–1540 | 1530–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–34 | 35–36 |
| Cost of attendance | $28,167 | $87,310 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $12,116 | $20,111 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 18,785 | 4,576 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.0% | 96.4% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,772 | $143,372 |
| Setting | Atlanta, Georgia | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
MIT is meaningfully harder to get into. A 9.5-percentage-point gap between 14.1% (Georgia Tech) and 4.5% (MIT) reflects real selectivity differences. Georgia Tech is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
MIT draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1580 vs 1540 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Georgia Tech is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $7,995 per year, $31,980 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
MIT graduates earn $40,600 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Georgia Tech grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Georgia Tech is substantially larger with 18,785 undergrads vs 4,576 at MIT. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Georgia Tech is in Atlanta, Georgia; MIT is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Georgia Tech is 40.4% women, 8.0% international, and 34.6% Asian-American. MIT is 48.2% women, 11.7% international, and 35.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Georgia Tech | MIT |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 40.4% | 48.2% |
| International | 8.0% | 11.7% |
| White | 34.7% | 21.3% |
| Asian | 34.6% | 35.2% |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 14.1% |
| Black | 8.3% | 7.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Georgia Tech vs. MIT?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Georgia Tech if
- Your odds are realistic at Georgia Tech (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Georgia Tech costs $7,995 less per year on average
- its cooperative education program
Pick MIT if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($143,372 vs $102,772)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- hands-on UROP research
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Georgia Institute of Technology
14.1% accept · Atlanta, Georgia
Full profile
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4.5% accept · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.