Where to live if you go to MIT?

Students going to MIT typically live in campus dorms as freshmen, then explore options in nearby Cambridge (Kendall/MIT), Somerville, Allston, or Brighton for off-campus living, focusing on areas with good MBTA (T) (subway) or bus access for shorter commutes to MIT's Cambridge campus. Graduate students have specific options like Graduate Junction or Tang Hall near campus, while undergraduates can join FSILGs (Fraternities, Sororities, & Independent Living Groups) after their first year.

Where do most MIT students live?

In Boston, look for apartments in the Back Bay, Charlestown, Allston, Brighton, and South End. Expect to pay more for air conditioning and/or parking. Somerville is also a popular location for students who want to live off-campus. Try to find locations that have good access to T stops and/or bus routes.

Where do most MIT graduates go?

MIT alumni work and study, but not always in fields they thought they were going to end up in. Some stay in Cambridge, some return to their home town, state, or country, and others travel the world seeking opportunities to advance the MIT mission.

Where to stay when visiting MIT?

Preferred hotels

• Boston Marriott Cambridge* 2 Cambridge Center. ...
• Courtyard Boston Cambridge by Marriott. 777 Memorial Drive. ...
• Fairfield Inn and Suites Boston Cambridge. ...
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites Boston Cambridge. ...
• Hotel Commonwealth. ...
• Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge. ...
• The Kendall Hotel* ...
• Kimpton Marlowe Hotel.

Is MIT harder than the Ivy League?

Neither MIT nor the Ivy League is definitively "harder"; both offer extreme academic rigor, but they differ in focus, with MIT known for intense STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) and hands-on problem-solving, while Ivies often emphasize broader humanities and social sciences, though all are packed with top-tier students who find themselves challenged at a much higher level than in high school. MIT's challenge often comes from faster-paced, advanced introductory STEM courses and a highly collaborative, project-based learning environment, whereas Ivy difficulty stems from the sheer caliber of brilliant peers and demanding coursework across diverse fields, notes Quora users and Reddit users.
 

Asking MIT Students If They Ever Sleep

How much does 4 years at MIT cost?

For 2025-2026, the sticker price for four years at MIT is around $340,000-$360,000 (including tuition, fees, room, and board), but most families pay significantly less due to generous need-based aid, with the median aid recipient paying about $10,000-$13,000 annually, and many graduating debt-free. MIT's financial aid covers 100% of demonstrated need for all four years, making it affordable for many students regardless of family income, with some middle-class families paying very little. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

Is MIT free if you make under 200k?

Yes, MIT offers tuition-free attendance for undergraduate students from families with incomes below $200,000 starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, thanks to expanded financial aid that covers tuition for about 80% of U.S. families, with those under $100,000 often paying nothing at all, including for housing and living expenses. 

Is MIT or Harvard cheaper?

Neither MIT nor Harvard is inherently "cheaper," as both have high sticker prices but offer generous need-based financial aid, making them affordable for many, though some sources suggest Harvard's aid might be slightly better for lower incomes, while MIT's overall aid is strong, with recent changes offering free tuition for middle-class families. Sticker prices (tuition/fees) are similar and can vary by year, but both schools aim for low/no cost for low/middle-income families.
 

Can you have fun at MIT?

MIT is home to hundreds of student organizations. From arts groups to club sports to religious and affinity groups, there is something here for everyone.

What billionaires went to MIT?

MIT billionaire alumni include brothers: Charles, David, and William Koch; as well as Dropbox CEO and co-founder, Drew Houston.

What is the nickname for MIT students?

MIT students are commonly called Engineers, referring to the school's athletic teams and its focus on technology, while also having internal nicknames like "Tools" (diligent students) or "Hackers", and identifying with the beaver mascot (seen on the "Brass Rat" class ring).
 

What is the hardest degree at MIT?

Generally, MIT majors like computer science, mechanical engineering, and math are all thought to be some of the most rigorous. However, all MIT majors have their own challenges — there's no singular major that is hardest for everyone.

How rare is a full ride to MIT?

A full-ride (covering all costs) at MIT is not rare for students from lower/middle-income families, thanks to their generous, need-based aid; for families earning under $100k, MIT covers everything, while those under $200k get tuition-free attendance, but for other students, full rides are extremely rare, as MIT is need-blind and meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans, but it's not a merit-based system.
 

Why is MIT not Ivy League?

MIT isn't an Ivy League school because the "Ivy League" is an athletic conference of older, private Northeastern universities with historical roots, while MIT is a technologically focused institute that competes in a different athletic division (DIII), despite its comparable or superior academics in science and engineering, and is often grouped with non-Ivy powerhouses like Stanford and Caltech in rankings.
 

What bars do MIT students go to?

Welcome to the Muddy Charles Pub an MIT Campus Staple Since 1968. We have welcomed everyone from Nobel Laureates to graduate students, played host to entrepreneurs and their start-ups, and enjoyed global exposure. Most of the patrons are MIT graduate students, and prices are kept affordable.

What is the cheapest Ivy League?

There's no single "cheapest" Ivy League school, as costs vary by aid, but Princeton and Harvard often have lower sticker prices due to large endowments, while offering substantial need-based aid, potentially making them cheapest for low-income students (free tuition for families under ~$150k-$200k), with Columbia, Cornell, and Penn also providing generous aid for lower incomes. Cornell also stands out for meeting 100% need without loans for many domestic students.
 

Is MIT #1 in the world?

Yes, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is consistently ranked as the #1 university in the world by major ranking systems like the QS World University Rankings, holding that top spot for many consecutive years, including the 2025-2026 rankings. While it might be #2 or #3 in some other specific rankings (like U.S. News or THE for overall global rankings), its dominance in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) keeps it at the very top globally across many metrics, especially in QS rankings. 

Why did Bill Gates quit Harvard?

In 1975, the MITS Altair 8800 was released based on the Intel 8080 CPU, and Gates and Allen saw the opportunity to start their own computer software company. Gates dropped out of Harvard that same year. His parents were supportive of him after seeing how much he wanted to start his own company.

What GPA do you need to get into MIT?

MIT doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, but competitive applicants usually have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, often near perfect (4.0+) in math and science, demonstrating top performance in rigorous courses like AP/IB math and physics to stand out, as admission is extremely selective and holistic. 

What majors are MIT known for?

MIT is renowned for its strong focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with its most popular majors consistently being Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mathematics, alongside programs in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, and Bioengineering. While famous for tech, MIT also excels in Management (Sloan), Architecture, Economics, and even offers strong programs in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, often with interdisciplinary STEM connections. 

How to get 100% scholarship for MIT?

To get a 100% scholarship (full financial aid) at MIT, you must demonstrate significant financial need by submitting the CSS Profile and parental income documentation, as MIT is need-blind and meets full need for admitted students, even internationals. While not merit-based, exceptional academics, strong extracurriculars, leadership, and compelling essays are crucial for admission to earn the aid, with families earning under $100k (typical assets) often paying $0, and those under $200k attending tuition-free. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.