The cost of attendance is the total “sticker price” of an MIT education—per student, per year.
The cost of attendance (COA) is our best estimate—based on defined costs set by MIT and surveys of our students—of what we expect it to cost an undergraduate to attend MIT for one academic year as a full-time student. It includes fixed costs that are billed by MIT (such as tuition, housing, food), and variable estimates for other expenses (such as books, supplies, and personal expenses). If you spend less than we estimate for variable costs, your actual cost to attend MIT goes down; if you spend more, then your actual cost to attend goes up.
We use the COA to help assess your financial need (and therefore any aid). The difference between the COA and what we determine your family can afford to pay is met by our financial aid. Whether you end up spending more or less than our estimate, your demonstrated financial need and financial aid offer stay the same.
The median net price actually paid by an undergraduate who received a need-based MIT Scholarship was $10,26801 2024–2025 is the last year for which we have full data. for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year
| Expense | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $66,720 | Your tuition02 We should note that the actual cost-to-MIT of administering an MIT education is about twice the listed tuition. Thus, even those students who pay full tuition without financial aid attend MIT at a 50% discount relative to its institutional cost. helps pay for the faculty who teach our students and advise their research, the staff who advise and support our students, and the physical spaces in which our students study and socialize. Tuition covers basic, non-waivable health services03 Massachusetts state law requires full health coverage beyond this basic access, and it is required for all MIT students. You will be automatically enrolled in, and charged for the <a href="https://mit.myahpcare.com/">MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP)</a>. However, if you already have full coverage, then you can <a href="https://sfs.mit.edu/help/faq/how-do-i-submit-a-health-insurance-waiver/">submit a waiver</a> for MIT SHIP. and access to urgent care, mental health visits, and specialist care at MIT Health. |
| Student life fee | $420 | This fee funds student clubs and organizations you may join, as well as the spaces in which they operate. In other words, this fee funds whatever clubs you join and activities you do, and where you do them, and those funds are distributed by the administration jointly with student governance. |
| Housing | $14,090 | All first-year students are required to live on campus. While our residence halls and living groups vary based on where and how you live, we calculate financial aid based upon the most expensive double room ($13,614). We’ll bill you in July for $6,807 (one semester of the most expensive room), then adjust it based on your actual housing cost in September. If you receive financial aid, it will stay the same regardless of your actual expenditures. |
| Food | $8,104 | There are multiple meal plan options, including cooking for yourself. However, we set the COA to the cost of the most expensive meal plan, which covers 21 meals a week for the academic year, as a baseline. If you receive financial aid, it will stay the same regardless of your actual expenditures. |
| Books, course materials, supplies & equipment |
$930 | We estimate this amount for expenses such as books, course materials, supplies, and equipment. |
| Personal expenses | $2,496 | We estimate this amount for expenses such as clothes, laundry, and other bills, regardless of how much you spend. |
| Total | $92,760 | Remember, this is the price before any financial aid. |
Note: We will also estimate a travel allowance based upon where you live, but since that is specific to your address, it is not included.
- 2024–2025 is the last year for which we have full data. back to text ↑
- We should note that the actual cost-to-MIT of administering an MIT education is about twice the listed tuition. Thus, even those students who pay full tuition without financial aid attend MIT at a 50% discount relative to its institutional cost. back to text ↑
- Massachusetts state law requires full health coverage beyond this basic access, and it is required for all MIT students. You will be automatically enrolled in, and charged for the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP). However, if you already have full coverage, then you can submit a waiver for MIT SHIP. back to text ↑