Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the world's most respected science schools — and for good reason.
For starters, it has a notoriously competitive selection process with fewer than 5% of applicants accepted. Then there's the grueling workload, which includes physics, biology, chemistry and calculus as required courses, and the roster of world-class professors.
Learning from the best pays off. Ninety-five percent of students graduate within six years, and the median earnings of alums four years after leaving top $160,000, which is the highest figure of all the schools Money analyzed. While the cost of an MIT education might seem daunting, the university offers substantial financial aid. In fact, 39% of students attend tuition-free, and 88% of the Class of 2025 graduated without student loan debt.
The university has a relatively diverse student body, and the 168-acre campus in Cambridge gives students access to nightlife, as well as the cultural activities of nearby Boston. And if they don’t want to go far, MIT has a dozen galleries and museums on campus.
When not appreciating the arts, Techies are known for creative, nerdy fun, like playing Mahjong, acroyoga and dance clubs.
