MIT wants to give applicants a realistic assessment of the costs associated with a graduate education.
Living costs in the Cambridge and Greater Boston area are among the highest in the United States. The Institute cannot assume financial responsibility for its students beyond any funding offered at the time of admission.
Students are encouraged to explore their housing options in MIT’s graduate residence halls as well as off-campus housing. To explore off-campus options in the Greater Boston area, please visit MIT’s Off-Campus Housing service or commercial apartment search services.
Below are a few examples of estimated expenses that graduate students can expect when attending MIT. When estimating your budget, please remember to include the impact of taxes. Federal and state taxes will differ for each individual but can total as much as 14–30% of a student’s salary or stipend.
Examples of estimated living expenses
Note: These estimates were last updated in summer 2024.
Single student living on campus with a roommate in a 2-bedroom apartment
TOTAL: $31,159 plus taxes
- Housing for 12 months: $19,728*
- Utilities: Cost included in on-campus housing rates
- Care at MIT Medical: Cost included with tuition
- Books and supplies: $706
- Food: $7,056
- Transportation and travel: $847
- Other/personal: $2,822
- Taxes: As much as an additional 14-30% of income
*Based on costs for Ashdown and Edgerton Houses.
Single student living on campus in an efficiency
TOTAL: $34,507 plus taxes
- Housing for 12 months: $23,076*
- Utilities: Cost included in on-campus housing rates
- Care at MIT Medical: Cost included with tuition
- Books and supplies: $706
- Food: $7,056
- Transportation and travel: $847
- Other/personal: $2,822
- Taxes: As much as an additional 14-30% of income
*Based on housing costs for Ashdown House efficiency units.
Student living off campus in a 1-bedroom apartment in Cambridge with their partner or spouse, who is not working
TOTAL: $48,484 plus taxes
- Housing for 12 months: $32,256*
- Utilities: $2,822
- Care at MIT Medical: Cost included with tuition
- Books and supplies: $706
- Food: $8,467
- Transportation and travel: $1,411
- Other/personal: $2,822
- Taxes: If married and filing jointly, as much as an additional 8-16% of income; if filing separately, as much as an additional 14-30% of income
*Based on median housing costs in Cambridge, MA..
Student living on campus in a 2-bedroom apartment with their partner/spouse, who is not working, and their young child
TOTAL: $55,058 plus taxes
- Housing for 12 months: $28,104*
- Utilities: Cost included in on-campus housing rates
- Care at MIT Medical: Cost included with tuition
- Books and supplies: $706
- Food: $14,112
- Transportation and travel: $2,822
- Other/personal: $9,314
- Childcare: $0, as partner/spouse is the primary childcare provider
- Taxes: As much as an additional 4-16% of income
*Based on housing costs for Westgate Apartments.
Student living in a 2-bedroom apartment in Cambridge with their employed partner/spouse and their young child
TOTAL: $70,894 plus taxes and childcare
- Housing for 12 months: $40,200*
- Utilities: $3,740
- Care at MIT Medical: Cost included with tuition
- Books and supplies: $706
- Food: $14,112
- Transportation and travel: $2,822
- Other/personal: $9,314
- Childcare in Cambridge: $30,000- $45,000 per year (average cost depending on the age of the child and the childcare center)
- Taxes: As much as an additional 14-30% of income
*Based on median housing costs in Cambridge, MA.
Sources:
- On-campus housing rates come from MIT Housing and Residential Services.
- Housing costs for Cambridge are based on September 2023 City of Cambridge open data report of median residential rent.
- Childcare estimate comes from a survey of nine full-time (5 days a week), year round childcare centers in Cambridge.
- All other expenses are based on median reported figures from the MIT GSC Graduate Student Cost of Living Survey (2021, adjusted for inflation).
- Cost of medical care at the on campus health service center, MIT Health, is included in the cost of tuition for all graduate students.
- The cost of enrollment in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) varies by department and graduate student appointment type.
