The annual graduate student budget, or cost of attendance, is the total price of an MIT education—per student, per year.
The cost of attendance is the total amount we estimate it will cost a graduate student to attend MIT for one year. It includes costs that are billed by MIT, such as tuition, and estimates for other expenses, such as housing, food, books, supplies, and personal expenses. We use this budget to determine the loan eligibility01 Loan eligibility is the maximum amount you can borrow in loans in a given year. for every student.
Cost of attendance
The chart below is an account of costs and fees associated with an MIT graduate education prior to any funding or aid.
- The standard academic year of September–May is shown in the 9-month cost column.
- The 12-month cost column is used if a student is also registered for the summer academic session.
Please note: If your student health insurance is covered via a Fellowship, Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant appointment, you are still responsible for the enrollment and cost of the Student Health Insurance Plan premium for a spouse or partner and any dependents.
Cost of attendance for the 2025–2026 academic year
| Expense | 9-month Cost | 12-month Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition*02 Tuition covers your specific graduate program. | $64,310 | $86,530 |
| Fees03 These help fund student clubs, organizations, and the sports and fitness center. | $420 | $420 |
| Health insurance**04 The MIT Student Health Insurance Plan is a comprehensive insurance plan that meets state and federal health insurance requirements and J-1 visa requirements. Learn more on the <a href="https://mit.myahpcare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MIT Health website</a>. | $4,572 | $4,572 |
| Housing05 We want to give applicants a realistic assessment of the costs associated with a graduate education. Living costs in the Cambridge and Greater Boston area are among the highest in the United States. To see a further breakdown of possible living expenses, please visit our <a href="https://oge.mit.edu/graduate-admissions/costs-funding/estimated-living-expenses-for-12-months/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Graduate Admissions website</a>. | $16,200 | $21,600 |
| Food06 Food budgets vary depending on the individual, but we use the following numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. | $7,470 | $9,960 |
| Books, course materials, supplies & equipment07 This out-of-pocket expense can vary depending on the student, but we use these numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. | $1,126 | $1,500 |
| Personal08 This out-of-pocket expense varies a lot depending on the student, but we use these numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. This covers things like clothes, laundry, phone, Internet, and personal care. | $7,542 | $10,056 |
| Transportation09 This includes your transportation around the city (MIT subsidizes 50% of the cost of <a href="https://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/tpass/students.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MBTA T-passes</a>), as well as money used to travel to and from campus. | $2,754 | $3,672 |
| Total10 This is the "full" price, <strong>before</strong> any loans are applied. | $104,394 | $138,310 |
*Graduate programs at the Sloan School of Management have their own tuition, and certain other graduate programs at MIT also employ “non-standard” tuition. Special students and visiting students should refer to the tuition and fee information specific to them.
**Health insurance will only be included in your cost of attendance if you choose to enroll in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan.
What if my expenses are higher than the cost of attendance estimates?
When looking at loan options, the maximum amount you may borrow is the total cost of attendance amount, minus any financial aid you receive from MIT or outside sources (this includes funding from employers). If you do not see the funding you received, or will receive, reported in your financial aid, please reach out to us at sfs@mit.edu as this will impact your loan eligibility.
Federal Loan fees will be automatically included in your loan borrowing eligibility.
If your actual living expenses are significantly higher than the cost of attendance, we may be able to adjust your budget and increase your loan eligibility. Visit the special circumstances page for details.
Computer purchases
When you take out a loan for your educational expenses, the amount you can borrow is based on the cost of attendance. For first year grad students, MIT includes a $2,300 allowance for a computer. This lets you take out a bit more in order to purchase a computer if you need one.
If taking out a loan creates a credit on your student account, you may request a refund and put it towards your computer.
Loaner laptops
If you need to borrow a laptop while your computer order is being processed/shipped, please visit the IS&T website to request a short-term loaner laptop.
- Loan eligibility is the maximum amount you can borrow in loans in a given year. back to text ↑
- Tuition covers your specific graduate program. back to text ↑
- These help fund student clubs, organizations, and the sports and fitness center. back to text ↑
- The MIT Student Health Insurance Plan is a comprehensive insurance plan that meets state and federal health insurance requirements and J-1 visa requirements. Learn more on the MIT Health website. back to text ↑
- We want to give applicants a realistic assessment of the costs associated with a graduate education. Living costs in the Cambridge and Greater Boston area are among the highest in the United States. To see a further breakdown of possible living expenses, please visit our Graduate Admissions website. back to text ↑
- Food budgets vary depending on the individual, but we use the following numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. back to text ↑
- This out-of-pocket expense can vary depending on the student, but we use these numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. back to text ↑
- This out-of-pocket expense varies a lot depending on the student, but we use these numbers to calculate your loan eligibility. This covers things like clothes, laundry, phone, Internet, and personal care. back to text ↑
- This includes your transportation around the city (MIT subsidizes 50% of the cost of MBTA T-passes), as well as money used to travel to and from campus. back to text ↑
- This is the "full" price, before any loans are applied. back to text ↑