Undergraduate Students
MIT believes the best education occurs when students are self-motivated and engaged participants in a dynamic community of learners. Moreover, learning must take place in an environment where students cannot only find support for their academic success but can also attend to their well-being and cultivate their personal and intellectual growth. To that end, MIT’s Undergraduate Advising Center strives to help every undergraduate student reach their full potential with individualized, holistic advising, from matriculation to graduation.
One of the hallmarks of an MIT undergraduate education is the combination of rigorous academics with a “learning-by-doing” approach. MIT’s rich experiential learning ecosystem enables students to pursue a wide variety of educational opportunities in such areas as research, public service and social impact, and entrepreneurship, to name a few.
Majors & minors
- 57 undergraduate majors
- 59 undergraduate minors
- 1 pirate certificate
- 1 wellness certificate
One avenue for student engagement is the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), pioneered at MIT in 1969 and now emulated in academic institutions around the world. UROP offers students the opportunity to join a faculty-led research team or to initiate their own research project.
Another unique feature of an MIT education is the Independent Activities Period, a special four-week term in January that enables students to set their own agenda within a creative and flexible environment.
Undergraduates are encouraged to add an international dimension to their education as well. Students may choose from Institute-wide or departmental study-abroad programs. They may also conduct research abroad, assist with building sustainable communities overseas, or venture out on fieldwork or internships arranged through MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives.
Leadership training opportunities include the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, the Bernard M. Gordon–MIT Engineering Leadership Program, and ROTC programs in the United States Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and Air Force. In addition, Career Advising and Professional Development guides all students as they explore and prepare for careers, graduate study, and life after MIT.
Selected Undergraduate Facts
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MIT has a 3-to-1 ratio of undergraduate students to faculty and instructional staff.
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The first semester at MIT is graded on a pass /no record basis, giving first-year students time to adjust to the rigor of MIT before receiving letter grades.
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MIT’s General Institute Requirements are designed to give every student a broad and strong foundation in core fields of human knowledge, including mathematics; physical, natural, and social sciences; and the humanities and arts.
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First-year students can choose to participate in a first-year learning community, such as the Concourse Program, DesignPlus, Experimental Study Group, or Terrascope.
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In 2024, 43% of graduating seniors reported they had had an international experience while at MIT.
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Nearly 63% of MIT undergraduates participate each year in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. In 2024, 95% of graduating seniors reported they had completed a UROP during their time at the Institute.
Housing
Most undergraduates live in one of MIT’s 11 on-campus houses or in one of 35 MIT-affiliated fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs). All unmarried first-year students must live in one of the Institute’s residence halls. Each on-campus residence hall has a live-in house team comprising a head of house (usually a senior faculty member) as well as a house operations manager and other professional staff, including an area director and graduate resident advisors, who support residents. On-campus housing is guaranteed for four consecutive years, and many students elect to remain on campus following their first year or move to an FSILG. Currently, more than 3,500 undergraduates live on campus.
In 2024–2025, approximately 1,700 students were affiliated with an FSILG; approximately 1,000 of them chose to live in an FSILG community as an alternative to a traditional residence hall.
Undergraduate costs, 2024–2025
- Total cost of attendance: $85,960
(before aid)
Tuition & fees: $61,990 (9 months)
Housing & food: $20,280
Books & personal expenses: $3,284