Why are MIT and Stanford, not Ivy League?

Stanford, MIT, and Duke may not be part of the Ivy League due to the historical emphasis on athletics, but they are by no means inferior. These institutions stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ivy League colleges, offering top-tier educational standards and competitive employment opportunities.

How many Indians go to Stanford every year?

As of Fall 2022, Stanford University's international student count stands at 4,669, which contributes about 24% to the total student population. A total of 64 nationalities are represented by the class of 2026 Stanford students and the count of Indian students stands at 564.

MIT vs Stanford: Which University Is Better?

Are you struggling to choose between attending MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) or Stanford? Both are among the highest-ranked universities globally. They are also known for their excellent STEM program and are among the top universities in the US. How does one decide which one to choose among these? There’s a silver lining. We have compared both universities based on critical factors such as location, size, popular majors, tuition, and rankings. Read through it because we have answered all your questions.

Given the acceptance rate of these universities, which is 4%, it might seem like an arduous task to get admitted. But our Premium Yocketers need not worry about this. We provide tech-backed tools and personalized end-to-end services. Yocket offers unbiased counseling to get you to the best universities worldwide. This has helped 3000+ Yocketeers study at the Top 100 universities worldwide. More than 300 Yocketeers have been admitted to the IVY League Schools. But why fret when you can also join our Yocket family? Exploring Yokcet Premium right now!

Table of Content

1. MIT vs Stanford: Overview
2. MIT vs Stanford: Factors to Consider
3. Choosing Between MIT vs Stanford: How to Decide?
4. From the Desk of Yocket

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MIT vs. Stanford: Overview

MIT University (est. 1861): Cambridge, Massachusetts

Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, is a prestigious Private School. It is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the river from Boston. The institute was established to inverse laboratory instruction in the US due to sudden industrialization. Today, the school encourages research, discovery, and innovation in science, engineering, and technology. The university has 4,600 undergraduates and about 7,500 graduate students. There are also nearly 13,000 staff and faculty at MIT.

MIT QS World Rankings 2025	1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio	3 to 1
Acceptance Rate	4%
Top Courses	Computational Thinking using Python, Circuits and Electronics, Computer Science, Artificial intelligence, Calculus, Data Science, Introduction to Algorithms, Mathematics

Stanford University (est. 1885): Stanford, California

Stanford Campus

Stanford University is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded universities in the world, known for its excellent academics and innovative approach. Located in Silicon Valley, Stanford is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and technology advancements. With an enrollment of over 17,000 students, Stanford offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across disciplines such as engineering, computer science, medicine, law, business, and humanities.

Stanford University World Ranking 2025	6
Student-to-Faculty Ratio	6 to 1
Acceptance Rate	3.7%
Top Courses	MBA, MS, B.Tech., MA, BA, B.Sc.

Also Read: How to Get into MIT from India: Know the Admission Requirements

MIT vs Stanford: Factors to Consider

Consider the below factors while deciding between MIT and Stanford University.

Factors	MIT	Stanford
Rankings	#2 US News 2024 #1 QS World University 2025 #3 Times Higher Education 2024	#3 US News 2024 #6 QS World University 2024 #2 Times Higher Education 2024
Subject Strength	#3 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024 #1 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024	#2 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024 #3 for Social Sciences and Management by QS World University 2024
Acceptance Rate	4%	3.7%
Exam Score	PTE - 70 IELTS - 7.5 TOEFL - 100	GMAT - 730 - 760+ GRE - 325 - 340 IELTS - 7.0 - 7.5
Tuition Fees	Average Tuition Fees USD 79,850 (INR 66,65,000)	Average Tuition Fees: USD 57,693 (INR 48,19,000)
Top Recruiters	McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, The Boston Consulting Group, Amazon, Verizon, Goldman Sachs, Apple, etc.	Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, Tesla, IBM, Intel
Median Salary	USD 1,70,000 or INR 1,41,89,730	USD 249,000 or INR 2,07,70,000

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Choosing Between MIT vs Stanford: How to Decide?

Choosing between MIT and Stanford is a significant decision that will shape your academic journey and prospects. Both institutions are globally renowned for their excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. While MIT's concentrated STEM focus fosters a tight-knit community, Stanford offers a broader range of academic programs beyond STEM.

Consider factors like acceptance rates, total costs (tuition, fees, living expenses), research opportunities, and program alignment with your interests. Evaluating these aspects will help determine whether MIT's specialized STEM approach or Stanford's multidisciplinary offerings combined with cutting-edge facilities and resources better suit your goals.

From the Desk of Yocket

Choosing between MIT and Stanford is challenging as both offer premier STEM education, strong alumni networks, and significant financial aid. MIT, in urban Cambridge, emphasizes science and technology. While Stanford, in suburban Silicon Valley, offers broader academic interests and a more robust sports culture. The decision may depend on your preference for location and campus life.

But we assure you that Yocket will stand by you during the application process. Yocket can help you with a statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, resume, etc. At Yocket, we help prospective candidates like you in every step of their study abroad journey, from shortlisting colleges to assisting with visa applications. We have helped 10,000+ Yocket Premium students study in the best-ranked universities worldwide. If this sounds like your career plan, connect with Yocket!