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Head-to-head comparison

Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cambridge MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pasadena CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$20,111
Earnings, 10 years
$143,372
Payback
0.8 yrs

Option B Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$16,075
Earnings, 10 years
$128,566
Payback
0.8 yrs
The verdict

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.)

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Head to head
MeasureMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCalifornia 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—
Payback0.8 yrs0.8 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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs California Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology a better value?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It clears its $80,444 net cost in about 0.8 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $143,372 vs $128,566 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology?
California Institute of Technology: $16,075/yr net price after aid versus $20,111/yr at Massachusetts Institute of Technology — a difference of $4,036 a year, or about $16,144 over four years.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $143,372 ten years after entry, versus $128,566 at California Institute of Technology — a $14,806 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.