World University Rankings: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
United States of America
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
United States

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is an independent, coeducational, private research university based in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Established in 1861, MIT aims to ‘further knowledge and prepare students in science, technology and other fields of study that will best benefit the nation and the world today’. Its motto is Mens et Manus, which translates as “Mind and Hand”.

The university lays claim to 85 Nobel Laureates, 58 National Medal of Science winners, 29 National Medal of Technology and Innovation winners and 45 MacArthur Fellows. Among its impressive alumni is Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations.

Scientific discoveries and technological advances accredited to MIT include the first chemical synthesis of penicillin, the development of radar, the discovery of quarks, and the invention of magnetic core memory, which enabled the development of digital computers.

MIT is currently organised into five different schools: architecture and planning, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences, management and science.

It is home to around 1,000 faculty members and over 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. MIT’s current areas of research include digital learning, sustainable energy, Big Data, human health and much more.

In addition to its emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, MIT also boasts a diverse and vibrant campus environment with a wide array of student groups. The campus is arranged over 168 acres within Cambridge, and features 18 student residences, 26 acres of playing fields, 20 gardens and green-space areas, as well as over 100 public works of art.

MIT estimates that all its living alumni have between them launched more than 30,000 active companies, created 4.6 million jobs and generated roughly $1.9 trillion in annual revenue.

Taken together, this ‘MIT Nation’ is equivalent, they say, to the 10th-largest economy in the world.

The mission of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century. We are also driven to bring knowledge to bear on the world’s great challenges.

The Institute is an independent, coeducational, privately endowed university, organized into five Schools (architecture and planning; engineering; humanities, arts, and social sciences; management; and science). It has some 1,000 faculty members, more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and more than 130,000 living alumni.

At its founding in 1861, MIT was an educational innovation, a community of hands-on problem solvers in love with fundamental science and eager to make the world a better place. Today, that spirit still guides how we educate students on campus and how we shape new digital learning technologies to make MIT teaching accessible to millions of learners around the world.

MIT’s spirit of interdisciplinary exploration has fueled many scientific breakthroughs and technological advances. A few examples: the first chemical synthesis of penicillin and vitamin A. The development of radar and creation of inertial guidance systems. The invention of magnetic core memory, which enabled the development of digital computers. Major contributions to the Human Genome Project. The discovery of quarks. The invention of the electronic spreadsheet and of encryption systems that enable e-commerce. The creation of GPS. Pioneering 3D printing. The concept of the expanding universe.

Current research and education areas include digital learning; nanotechnology; sustainable energy, the environment, climate adaptation, and global water and food security; Big Data, cybersecurity, robotics, and artificial intelligence; human health, including cancer, HIV, autism, Alzheimer’s, and dyslexia; biological engineering and CRISPR technology; poverty alleviation; advanced manufacturing; and innovation and entrepreneurship.

MIT’s impact also includes the work of our alumni. One way MIT graduates drive progress is by starting companies that deliver new ideas to the world. A recent study estimates that as of 2014, living MIT alumni have launched more than 30,000 active companies, creating 4.6 million jobs and generating roughly $1.9 trillion in annual revenue. Taken together, this "MIT Nation" is equivalent to the 10th-largest economy in the world!

Education

Spanning five schools — architecture and planning; engineering; humanities, arts, and social sciences; management; and science — and more than 30 departments and programs, an education at MIT covers more than just science and technology.

Arts, business, global languages, health and more complete an education at MIT, and the Institute makes freely available its class lecture notes, exams and videos through MIT's OpenCourseWare and complete courses are offered through the new online-learning initiative, edX.

schools

School of Architecture and Planning

School of Engineering

School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Sloan School of Management

School of Science

departments and programs*

16 Aeronautics and Astronautics

21A Anthropology

4 Architecture

20 Biological Engineering

7 Biology

9 Brain and Cognitive Sciences

10 Chemical Engineering

5 Chemistry

1 Civil and Environmental Engineering

CMS/21W Comparative Media Studies/Writing

CSB Computational and Systems Biology

12 Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

14 Economics

6 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

IDSS Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

21G Global Studies and Languages

HST Health Sciences and Technology

21H History

24 Linguistics and Philosophy

21L Literature

15 Management

3 Materials Science and Engineering

18 Mathematics

2 Mechanical Engineering

MAS Media Arts and Sciences

21M Music and Theater Arts

22 Nuclear Science and Engineering

8 Physics

17 Political Science

STS Science, Technology, and Society

11 Urban Studies and Planning

WGS Women's and Gender Studies

Research

Research at MIT aims to develop innovative solutions to the world’s most daunting challenges. From addressing the energy needs of tomorrow to improving cancer therapies, MIT’s research efforts are enhanced through creative collaborations with leading research institutes and consortia around the world. Compiled here are just some of the MIT labs, centers and programs where cutting-edge research is taking place.

Institute research by topic

aeronautics and astronautics

architecture

anthropology

arts

astronomy

biology/bioengineering

business and management

cancer

chemistry/chemical engineering

civil and environmental engineering

cognitive science

comparative media

computer science

earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences

economics

education

electrical engineering

energy

entrepreneurship and invention

global languages

history

humanities

international studies

libraries

linguistics

media arts and sciences

materials science and engineering

mathematics

mechanical engineering

medical sciences

music

nanoscience and nanotechnology

neuroscience

nuclear science and engineering

oceanography and ocean engineering

physics

philosophy

political science

robotics and artificial intelligence

social sciences

transportation

urban studies and planning

writing

Community

MIT's diverse community — comprising students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and more — work together on more than research and education. Outside of the classroom, student clubs, staff organizations and religious life groups are just some of the ways community comes together at the Institute.

students faculty staff parents alumni

organizations and student groups by topic

academic societies

alumni groups

arts

association of student activities

athletics, physical education and recreation

community/public service

computing

culture and language

entrepreneurship

events

staff/faculty groups

fun links

living groups

parents

political groups

religious life

special interests/activities

student government

student publications/radio

support groups

women's groups

Athletics, physical education

and recreation

athletes

At MIT, exceptional students apply to athletics, physical education, and recreation the same passion, drive and work ethic as they do in academics to reach their complete potential. Intensity and commitment to excellence can be found in all of DAPER’s participants.

The Institute sponsors the largest NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic program in the country with 33 varsity sports. DAPER features more than 30 club teams while it offers an expansive variety of intramural competition. Physical education, a general Institute requirement, teaches health and wellness concepts in addition to specific skill instruction. Recreational sports include 200-plus programs annually, including fitness training, group exercise and specialty events.

Key Statistics