The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, coed research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1861, its mission is to “advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other fields that will best serve the nation and the world today.” Its motto, Mens et Manus, means “Mind and Hand.”
MIT counts 85 Nobel laureates, 58 National Medal of Science recipients, 29 National Medal of Technology and Innovation winners, and 45 MacArthur Fellows among its ranks. Notable alumni include Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General.
The university has been behind major breakthroughs like the first synthetic penicillin, radar technology, the discovery of quarks, and the invention of magnetic core memory—key to developing digital computers.
MIT is divided into five schools: architecture and planning, engineering, humanities (arts and social sciences), management, and science. It has roughly 1,000 faculty members and more than 11,000 undergrad and grad students. Current research focuses on digital learning, sustainable energy, Big Data, human health, and more.
Beyond academics, MIT fosters innovation and entrepreneurship while offering a lively campus life with countless student groups. The 168-acre Cambridge campus includes 18 dorms, 26 acres of sports fields, 20 gardens and green spaces, and over 100 public art installations.
Living MIT alumni have founded over 30,000 active companies, creating 4.6 million jobs and generating around $1.9 trillion in yearly revenue. Collectively, this “MIT Nation” would rank as the world’s 10th-largest economy.
Rankings
World University Rankings 2025
- Overall: 2nd
- Arts & Humanities: 1st
- Business & Economics: 1st
- Computer Science: 3rd
- Engineering: 3rd
- Life Sciences: 3rd
- Physical Sciences: 4th
- Social Sciences: 1st
Breakdown (2025):
- Teaching: 99.2
- Research Environment: 96
- Research Quality: 99.7
- Industry: 100
- International Outlook: 93.8
Impact Rankings 2024:
- Overall: 101–200th
- Gender Equality: 401–600th
- Clean Water & Sanitation: 201–300th
- Affordable Energy: 401–600th
- Industry & Innovation: 74th
- Reduced Inequalities: =51st
- Sustainable Cities: 91st
- Climate Action: 201–300th
- Partnerships for Goals: 401–600th
Student Stats (2025)
- Gender Ratio: 42% female, 58% male
- International Students: 33%
- Students per Staff: 8
- Total Students: 11,836
Similar Universities
- Arizona State University (Tempe) – Founded 1885
- Virginia Tech – Founded 1872
- University of La Verne
Job Opportunities (Posted May 6, 2025)
- Executive Coordinator, STEM College – RMIT University (Melbourne)
- Employee Relations Manager – University of Southampton (UK)
- Lecturer (Physics) – King’s College London
- Postdoctoral Research Associate – King’s College London
- Associate/Assistant Professor – Lingnan University (Hong Kong)
Subjects Taught at MIT
- Computer Science (3rd)
- Business & Economics (1st) – Economics, Business Management
- Arts & Humanities (1st) – Literature, History, Philosophy, Art, Architecture
- Life Sciences (3rd) – Biological Sciences
- Physical Sciences (4th) – Chemistry, Physics, Math, Environmental Science
- Engineering (3rd) – Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace
- Social Sciences (1st) – Sociology, Politics, Media Studies