IIT vs MIT: Which is Better IIT or MIT in 2025?

IIT vs MIT: Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are two prestigious educational institutions in their respective countries and worldwide. IIT offers engineering courses like BTech and MTech. MIT offers engineering, STEM, and other professional courses. According to QS World University Rankings 2025, MIT ranks #1 for twelve consecutive years, while IITs consistently rank among the top #50 engineering institutions globally.  

According to MIT Enrollment Statistics 2023–2024, MIT admitted 11,920 students, wherein 300 Indian students constitute MIT’s 2nd largest international student community. Likewise, 23 IITs across India admitted 10,500 UG students, 8,000 PG students, and 3,000 PhD students in 2023–2024.

People from Quora and Reddit widely shared their opinions that “MIT focuses on achieving excellence in engineering fields while IIT focuses on producing excellent engineers.”

Since MIT and IITs are top-ranking institutions, students find it challenging to choose between them, as admissions are very tough for students. Nevertheless, the choice between IIT and MIT depends on your academic and career goals along with personal preferences like location, culture, etc. So before making your decision, read this entire blog. It compares the two institutions on various parameters like academic curriculum, admission criteria, acceptance rate, salary package, top recruiters, and more. This information will help you make an informed decision.  

A quick glance about IIT and MIT below.

Particulars	MIT	IIT
Full Form	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Indian Institute of Technology
Established Year	April 10, 1861	September 15, 1956
Motto	Mind and Hand (Mens et Manus)	Knowledge Is The Supreme Goal
Faculty	More than 2000	More than 6000
Campuses	1	23
Location	United States of America (USA)	India
Total Students	11,920	14,128
Entrance Exam	SAT & ACT	JEE Advanced & GATE
Acceptance Rate	6.70%	0.7 – 2%
Average Tuition Fee	INR 65L – INR 70L (USD 77K – USD 83K)	INR 2L – INR 10L (USD 2K – USD 12K)
Avg. Salary Package	INR 99L (USD 118K)	INR 20L (USD 24K)
Type	Private Institution	Government Institutions
Top Recruiters	-Google -Boeing -Raytheon -Lockheed -Samsung -McKinsey & Company -Bain & Company -Amazon	-Microsoft -Tata Steel -Qualcomm -Dell -Samsung -Morgan Stanley -Shell -Reliance Industries Limited

Table of Contents

• Distinctive Features of IIT vs MIT
• How Challenging is MIT Compared to IIT?
• IIT vs MIT: Global Rankings 2025
• IIT vs MIT: Academic Curriculum
• IIT vs MIT: Admission Criteria
• IIT vs MIT: Acceptance Rate
• IIT vs MIT: Salary Packages
• IIT vs MIT: Top Recruiters
• IIT vs MIT: Number of Nobel Laureates
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Distinctive Features of IIT vs MIT

The list of distinctive features of the two world-class institutions (IIT and MIT) is given below.

MIT brags famous alumni, including

• Ilene S. Gordon, Former CEO of Ingredion Incorporated
• Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Shirley Ann Jackson, Former President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Richard Feynman, American Theoretical Physicist

Some of the remarkable inventions and discoveries of MIT are

• World Wide Web by MIT professor Tim-Berner Lee
• Email by Ray Tomlinson, an MIT graduate
• BOSE Sound Corporation was founded by Amar Gopal Bose (professor at MIT for 45 years)
• 23 companies formed using MIT intellectual property
• 593 invention disclosures
• Pi Day—An annual celebration of the mathematical constant π on March 14. 

Now, let’s see what IITs have got.

IIT boasts significant contributions to India’s technological development, with alumni like

• Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google. 
• Nandan Nilekani (Chairman of UIDAI)
• N.R Narayana Murthy (Co-founder and ex-chairman of Infosys)
• Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, Founders of Flipkart

Additionally, some notable features of IIT include

• IIT Kharagpur was called a ‘Bomb House’ owing to the fact that Britishers used to store bombs there during World War.
• IIT Bombay’s establishment received funds from UNESCO and the former Soviet Union. 

Both universities foster an entrepreneurial spirit that has created numerous successful startups, research, and technological advancements.

How Challenging is MIT Compared to IIT?

MIT can be less challenging for Indian students than IIT, with a lower dropout rate of 4% at MIT and a higher dropout rate of 20% at IIT. One of the reasons is that MIT focuses on practical applications and hands-on training. This practical approach enables students to apply their theoretical knowledge and concepts to real-world problems. This can be engaging and enhances memory retention, thus making the academic learning experience less challenging. Whereas IITs have a more theoretical way of learning, with a greater emphasis on classroom instruction and written assessments. 

MIT’s student-to-faculty ratio is 3:1 for undergraduate programs. Its class sizes and customised learning experiences ensure that students receive individual attention from their professors. To take it further, MIT allows students to join faculty in ongoing research projects. Contrastingly, IIT’s student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, thus providing relatively less attention to students.

Another reason why MIT can be less challenging for Indian students is the academic environment. MIT strongly emphasises collaboration and teamwork, apart from its competitive and demanding academic environment. So, students are encouraged to work together and support each other to achieve their academic goals. Consequently, MIT students have become more sociable. Whereas students in IITs tend to be introverted and more technical. 

MIT offers robust infrastructure (65+ research centers, modern labs, and programs), resources, and support systems, including academic advising, tutoring, study groups, case study discussions, etc., contributing to a supportive and stress-free learning environment. In comparison, IITs also have better academic infrastructure, along with cultural and sports facilities. 

Overall, academic-wise, MIT may be less intense than IIT for Indian students.

IIT or MIT which is tough?

Due to its large foreign student body, MIT’s listing and entry requirements (grades, coursework, competitive scores) are more detailed than those of the IIT. MIT accepts only 150 students out of 4,000 candidates as they evaluate candidates’ personalities before granting admission. Conversely, even though IITs are known for their fierce competition, they cannot win in this area.

IIT vs MIT: Global Rankings 2025

When it comes to global rankings, QS ranks MIT and various IITs for the year 2025 for its world university rankings and they are as follows:

IIT vs MIT Rankings	QS - World University Rankings 2025
MIT	#1
IIT Bombay	#118
IIT Delhi	#150
IIT Kharagpur	#222
IIT Madras	#227
IIT Kanpur	#263
IIT Roorkee	#335
IIT Guwahati	#344
IIT Indore	#477
IIT BHU-Varanasi	#531
IIT Hyderabad	681-690
IIT Bhubaneswar	951-1000

IIT vs MIT: Academic Curriculum

When it comes to academic curriculum, both institutions offer courses in Engineering, Technology, and Science. The pedagogical system and teaching methodologies might differ slightly. 

MIT offers 58 major and 59 minor programs at the undergraduate level, 50 departments and programs at the graduate level, 1 private certificate, and 1 wellness certificate. Apart from this, MIT features student exchange programs, 33 varsity sports, and 450 co-curricular student organisations. Certain degrees require a pro-seminar or capstone experience.

MIT has various established interdepartmental programs. MIT students base their studies on a core of subjects in Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (the General Institute Requirements [GIRs]).  

On the other hand, 23 IITs in India offer more than 250 (B.Tech) programs—4 years duration, along with B.Arch and Dual Degree (B.Tech & M.Tech) with 5 years duration. Each specialises across different disciplines. IITs provide a range of study programs for UG, PG, and PhD levels, primarily on Engineering, Technology, Science, and Management. 

Below is the list of top courses offered by both universities.

Universities	Top Courses	Avg. Tuition Fee
MIT	-Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering -Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering -Bachelor of Science in Physics -Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Engineering -Master of Science in Technology and Policy -Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science -Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy -Master of Science Aeronautics and Astronautics -Master of Science in Architecture Studies (SMArchS)	INR 65L – INR 70L
IIT	-Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) -Bachelor of Science (BS) -Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) -Bachelor of Design (B.Des) -Master of Science (MSc) -Master of Technology (M.Tech) -Master of Design (M.Des) -Master of Business Administration (MBA)	INR 2L – INR 10L

Note: The fees given in the above table are appropriate. It varies depending on the different courses and campus.

IIT vs MIT: Admission Criteria

Since MIT and IIT are highly-regarded universities in the world, each has its unique admission criteria to select the best candidates for their programs.

Now, let’s look at the admission criteria of each university.

As per the MIT admissions eligibility, students must complete their secondary education (10 and +12 standards), followed by academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, English language proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE), Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letter of Recommendation (LOR). The university admissions committee (AdCom) requires applicants to submit their SAT scores for UG and GRE/GMAT scores for PG programmes.

MIT considers SAT (780–800) and ACT (34–36) scores as one of the factors in the admissions process; however, they do not have a cut-off or recommended scores. The committee reviews each application comprehensively, considering all aspects of an applicant’s profile.

When it comes to IIT admission criteria, IIT significantly focuses on performance in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). JEE is a national-level entrance exam conducted in two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE is conducted in India for admission to undergraduate courses in Engineering, Science, and Architecture. IIT admits students who rank within the top 10,000 to 15,000 in JEE Advanced.

The minimum JEE Advanced score to study in IIT is 31 to 63, depending on the candidate’s specific category. The JEE Advanced exam is known for its difficulty, designed to evaluate the candidate’s problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding. Similar to JEE, students also take GATE and UGC NET to pursue masters in IITs.

Therefore, to study at IIT, candidates must prepare religiously and perform exceptionally well in the JEE Advanced exam.

Which is easier to gain admission to IIT vs MIT?

MIT is easier to gain admission than IIT because MIT has a relatively higher acceptance rate of about 6.7%, while IIT has a lower acceptance rate of 0.7% to 2%.

IIT vs MIT: Acceptance Rate

MIT receives 23,000 applications annually, wherein around 1,400 students are accepted for first-year admissions, resulting in an acceptance rate of 6.7%. This means for every 100 applicants, only 6 are admitted. 

Whereas IIT admissions are purely based on the JEE results. In 2023, a total of 11,13,325 students appeared in both sessions of the JEE exam. Out of which 17,485 candidates qualified for the exam, with only a 0.7% to 2% acceptance rate.  

Due to heavy competition in India, the acceptance rate at IIT is much lower than that of MIT. 

Institute	Acceptance Rate
MIT	6.70%
IIT	0.7 – 2%

IIT vs MIT: Study Cost and Financial Aid

Study costs and financial aid are important factors for students in deciding between IIT and MIT. Actually, the cost of pursuing courses at IIT and MIT is very high. The following table gives the fees for studying across courses at IITs and MIT.

Universities	Courses	Fees (in 2025)
MIT	UG/PG Courses	USD 57,590 (9 months)
	Housing & Meals	USD 18,790
	Books & Personal Expenses	USD 3,074
	Total	USD 79,454 (INR 65,96,112)
IIT	UG Courses	INR 8 – 9 Lakhs
	PG Courses	INR 3 – 8.7 Lakhs

From the above table, studying in India in IITs is cheaper than studying in the USA at MIT. Moreover, MIT covers miscellaneous costs that add up to the overall study cost in the USA. To meet such expenses, both institutions offer financial aid. 

Financial Aid at MIT Key Highlights

• Total MIT Scholarships ($152.3 M)
• Median MIT Scholarship ($63,729)
• Tuition Fee (35% for undergraduates)

MIT provides need-based aid and scholarships to deserving students.

Financial Aid at IITs
Across IITs, the reserved category students (SC/ST/BPL) get a partial tuition fee waiver or a full tuition fee waiver. Apart from that, students can also get 25% scholarships in Technology related courses.

IIT vs MIT: Salary Packages

Every year, graduates from IIT and MIT are in high demand in the international job market. Also, both of them have highly credible degrees/courses in India and worldwide.

The table below shows the salary package comparison between IIT and MIT.

Universities	Average Annual Package
IIT (Masters)	INR 20L (USD 24K)
MIT (Masters)	INR 99L (USD 118K)

Who earns more: IIT or MIT?

MIT graduates earn more than IITians, with an average salary package of INR 90L – INR 1Cr per annum. On the other hand, the average salary package of IIT graduates is around INR 20 – INR 50 LPA. Another reason is that MIT graduates’ median salary would exceed that of IIT counterparts due to the currency conversion from dollars to rupees.

IIT vs MIT: Top Recruiters

One of the essential factors in the IIT vs MIT comparison is the top recruiters. 

The table below provides a comprehensive list of top recruiters of both universities.

Universities	Top Recruiters
MIT	-The Boston Consulting Group -Amazon -McKinsey & Company -Bain & Company -Apple -Goldman Sachs -Google -Adobe -Facebook -Morgan Stanley -NVIDIA Corporation -Nasdaq -Valor Capital Group -Boeing -Raytheon -Lockheed -Samsung -Quanta Computers -Intel -BAE
IIT	-American Express -Microsoft -Tata Steel -Qualcomm -Dell -Uber -Goldman Sachs -Rubrik -Samsung -Infosys -IBM -Oracle Technologies -Hewlett Packard (HP) -TVS

IIT vs MIT: Number of Nobel Laureates

MIT has affiliations with 101 Nobel Prize Laureates. But IITs have yielded no Nobel prize winners yet.

Conclusion

After comparing the two best institutions in terms of academic curriculum, admission criteria, acceptance rate, salary package, top recruiters, etc., MIT is considered the best university in the world, offering diverse courses and guiding students to meet present global needs. However, the choice between MIT and IIT purely depends on your personal preferences, academic and career aspirations, and financial considerations. If you need an expert’s opinion on "IIT vs MIT", reach out to us anytime. All the best!

FAQs

1. Does MIT outshine IIT?

Yes. MIT outshines IIT in diverse courses, academic infrastructure, research facilities, and extracurricular activities. If students want to stay in India and pursue Engineering, choosing IIT can be the best option. Instead, if they want to study abroad, then MIT would be the best choice.

2. Which is better, IIT or MIT for international students?

According to QS World University Rankings 2025, MIT is better than IIT for international students. MIT has a better international student ratio, international research network, employment outcomes, and sustainability.

3. Why do students prefer MIT over IIT for higher studies?

Students prefer MIT over IIT for higher studies because MIT is consistently ranked #1 in QS Rankings 2025, has a higher acceptance rate, and offers a variety of courses and practical approaches with more hands-on training. Moreover, MIT strongly emphasises research and innovation.

4. Can I study at MIT after IIT?

Yes. You can study at MIT after IIT. All you need to do is meet MIT’s admissions criteria, apply to your preferred course before the deadline, and submit academic transcripts, entrance exam scores, and supporting documents. Then, start your journey to MIT. Many IIT graduates have successfully joined MIT for higher education.

5. Are IIT students smarter than MIT students?

It’s hard to tell who is smarter between IIT and MIT students. IIT and MIT students are from different academic and personal backgrounds. Additionally, the teaching methodologies, internship opportunities, live projects, etc., are not the same.

6. Does MIT accept IIT students?

Yes. MIT accepts IIT students for further studies and research. 

7. Is an IIT degree valid in the USA?

Yes. An IIT degree is valid in the USA. IIT degrees have been acknowledged and greatly valued by American colleges and universities. Top companies recruited many IIT graduates for their knowledge and talent.

8. Can I transfer from IIT to MIT?

Yes. You can transfer from IIT to MIT through student exchange programs. Students with a good academic standing (4.3 GPA minimum) can apply to MIT, provided they must have a personal statement, reference letter, and transcript, and complete a personal interview with the department major.

9. How do IIT vs MIT compare in terms of global recognition?

IIT and MIT are two globally recognized universities popularly known for their academic excellence and research opportunities. Generally, MIT is considered more prestigious, with a higher global ranking, while IIT is known for producing highly skilled engineers and scientists.

10. Why should I choose IIT over MIT?

You should choose IIT over MIT if you want to study in India and live close to your family.