Computer Science Degrees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Students who want to learn as much as possible about computer science should consider Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Most often referred to as MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a multitude of degrees in the computer science field.
Students who study at MIT complete their freshman year without declaring a major. This allows students to take ample time to decide which course they wish to study. The first year is considered “academic exploration.” All students take some general institution requirements while also taking classes that are within their academic interests. In order to help students transition more fully from high school to college, MIT offers a forgiving grade system during the first semester. Students either pass a class or receive no credit, but also no record of having taken the classes they did not pass.
General institution requirements at MIT consist of:
- Six courses in mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry
- Eight courses in humanities, arts, and social sciences
- Four communication-intensive courses
- Four physical education courses
- Two restricted electives in science and technology
When a student declares a major at MIT, it is considered their “course of study.” Majors that may be interesting to those who wish to study computer science may include computer science, computer science and engineering, computer science and molecular biology, computation and cognition, data science, design, mathematics with computer science or urban science and planning with computer science.
About Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is a private research university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is known for excellence in teaching science and technology. The university has been home to more than 100 Nobel laureates, Turing Award winners and Fields Medalists.
Among the notable alums of MIT are Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations; Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister; co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, William Hewlett, and astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Catherine Coleman.
MIT regularly received high academic rankings. U.S. News and World Report and Times/Wall Street Journal both rank MIT as one of the top five schools in the nation and across the globe.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Accreditation Details
MIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The university undergoes reaccreditation every 10 years. Many of the school’s programs are accredited by governing bodies that are specific to their fields.
Computer science and engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Application Requirements
Prospective MIT undergrads must apply online well before the January 1 deadline. All applications are completed through the MyMIT portal. Students must include biographical information, essays, a secondary school report, high school transcripts, and standardized test scores. Students must also provide two recommendation letters from teachers. One of these recommendations must be from a math or science teacher. The second recommendation letter must be from a teacher in humanities, social sciences or a foreign language.
Students may provide supplemental materials to accompany their applications. These materials must be scannable as all information is transferred to MIT through the online portal.
Once the application has been submitted, students may be asked for an interview. Interviews may take place in person or via an online portal.
MIT does not have minimum test scores or specific classes required in order to gain admission as an undergraduate. Students have a higher likelihood of being admitted if they have completed three years of sciences, advanced mathematics courses, at least two years of a foreign language, four years of English and two years of history. Students should have a minimum of a 4.0 GPA, though the average GPA for incoming freshmen at MIT is closer to 4.2. Students can also increase their chances of admission by taking advanced placement courses in high school. College entrance test scores should be no lower than 34 for the ACT and no less than 780 in each SAT subject.
Students interested in joining MIT for graduate school must apply to a specific departmental program. Each program has its own unique requirements for eligibility. All applicants must complete the application online along with a fee, which ranges in prices from $75 to $250 depending on the program. Applicants must also provide GRE test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English proficiency tests, and a CV or resume.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of attending MIT for one year as an undergraduate is approximately $73,160. This cost includes tuition, health insurance, housing, meals, books and supplies, and personal expenses. The actual amount spent by students may vary as personal expenses and books may cost more or less than the amount that is assumed by MIT.
MIT does offer significant financial aid award packages that are entirely based on need. The school takes the family’s income, investments, and other financial responsibilities under consideration when determining the size of award. Families who earn under $90,000 per year are not charges tuition. The average family of an MIT student pays about $23,000 per year. The financial aid packages awarded from MIT come in the form of scholarships, grants, and student employment.
Students can use outside scholarships to assist with paying for MIT. However, the dollar amounts of outside scholarships are considered when the financial aid package is awarded. MIT’s financial aid office can help students who decide to take out student loans in order to pay for the rest of their tuition and living expenses.
Graduate study is slightly more than undergraduate programs. Graduate students can expect a yearly expense of $82,000 to $96,000 per year. This figure includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, health insurance, books, personal expenses, and transportation.
Graduate students can help to pay for their education with fellowships or by working as teaching or research assistants. The amount of funding is determined by the specific department rather than the financial aid office.
Learn more about computer science degrees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology by visiting the university website.
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