Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,444 in 0.8 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $143,372 vs $128,566 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,111 | $16,075 |
| Total net cost | $80,444 | $64,300 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $143,372 | $128,566 |
| Median debt | $14,768 | — |
| Payback | 0.8 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,819,796 | $1,539,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology, at $16,075 a year after aid versus $20,111 — a gap of $4,036 a year, or $16,144 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report a median $143,372 ten years after entry, $14,806 more than the $128,566 at California Institute of Technology. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, against 94% at California Institute of Technology. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.