MIT Diversity Statistics: An In-Depth Look

What’s Covered:

• Overview of MIT Diversity Statistics
• Cultural Resources at MIT
• Plans to Improve Diversity at MIT
• LGBTQ+ Inclusivity at MIT
• How Diverse and Inclusive is Cambridge, MA?
• Is MIT Right for You?

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is known for its academic prowess and top-tier STEM programs. The school also prides itself on being an inclusive space for students from all backgrounds. In this post, we’ll talk about MIT’s current diversity, how it’s combating discrimination and harrassment, and its future plans to improve upon its approach to inclusion. 

Overview of MIT Diversity Statistics 

Ethnic Diversity

Relative to other schools in the nation, MIT can be classified as diverse based on its current student population statistics.

Financial Diversity

The New York Times published financial diversity statistics for MIT in 2017; the median family income was $137,400, in the 76th income percentile. Students’ families were among the highest earners in Massachusetts, which ranks about typical in the New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference, and among the lowest among Ivy League and other top-tier colleges. 

While MIT has predominantly wealthy students, the school does have generous financial aid. The school is need-blind, meaning it makes its admissions decisions without taking into account the applicant family’s finances or ability to pay tuition. The college will also meet 100% demonstrated need for its applicants. MIT also offers a restricted no-loan policy, where families with a yearly income below $75,000 qualify for no-loan financial aid. 

Geographic Diversity

MIT has students from every single state in America, with most students coming from California, New York, and Texas. 10% of the undergraduate population is composed of international students. International students are considered for aid via the same process for all applicants, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial aid. 

Cultural Resources at MIT

Religious Groups

Addir Interfaith Engagement Association

Asian Baptist Student Koinonia

Asian Christian Fellowship

Bahai Association MIT

Baptist Student Fellowship

Buddhist Students Club

Chabad Student Group

Christians on Campus

Cru

etSpiritus

Gospel Choir

Hillel MIT

Hindu Students Council

Latter Day Saint Student Association

Lutheran Episcopal Ministry

Mobin

Muslim Students Association

Origins (Vedic tradition)

Protestant Student Community

Secular Society of MIT

Tech Catholic Community

Cultural Groups

African Students Association

Arab Student Organization

Armenian Society MIT

Asian American Association

Association of Indonesian Students at MIT

Association of Puerto Rican Students

Association of Taiwanese Students MIT

Aussies@MIT

Bangladeshi Students

Belgians at MIT

Black Students’ Union

Black Women’s Alliance

Bulgarian Club at MIT

Canadians Club

Caribbean Club

Catalonia@MIT

Chinese Students Club

Club Argentino en MIT

Club Francophone at MIT

Club of Undergraduate Chinese Nationals

Club Peru

Colombian Association of MIT

Cuban American Student Association (CASA)

Egyptian Association

Ethiopian Eritrean Students Association

European Club

Filipino Student Association

Hawaii Club

Hong Kong Student Society

International Youth and Students for Social Equality at MIT

Japanese Association

Kiwis at MIT

Korean Students Association

La Maison Française

Latino Cultural Center

Lebanese Club at MIT

Malayasian Students Association

MIT Asian American Initiative

MIT Interracial X Ethnic Division

MIT Nigerian Student Association

MITALY – Italian Student Association

MITeri – Nepali Student Association

Mujeres Latinas 

Native American Student Association

Organization of Serbian Students 

Paksmit

Palestine at MIT

Persian Students Association

Polish Club at MIT

Romanian Student Association

Russian Connection

Samskritam

Singapore Students of Society

South Asian Students Association

Sri Lankan Students Association

Stammtisch 

Thai Students at MIT

Turkish Student Association

Vietnamese Students

MIT’s Latino Cultural Center

The LLC is a space for Latino students and student organizations, with business offices, student organizations, and a lounge where students can study and socialize. The center also has cultural and social events periodically, such as the Festival de las Americas and Gala Sabsosura!

The MIT Office of Minority Education

The OME hosts weekly “Drop-In” hours where students can ask questions about their services and receive help in personal, professional, and social matters. Students can raise concerns about academics, such as their classes and instructors. 

Social Justice Programming & Cross-Cultural Engagement (SPXCE)

This program is meant to support students and provide them with guidance and opportunities to connect with others. Their mission is to foster a safe space that prioritizes inclusivity and provides intersectional social justice education, community-building, and leadership development. There is a social space, study area, computer lab, all-gender restroom, and kitchenette.

MIT’s Office of Religious, Spiritual, Ethical Life (ORSEL)

This institute intends to support the student body’s pluralistic identities by providing on-campus programming, confidential counseling, and advice to student religious organizations. 

Plans to Improve Diversity at MIT

Recently, MIT has started several initiatives to improve its approach to supporting its diverse population. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s recent report on sexual and gender harassment of women in academia has informed new steps such as a revised policy for handling harrassment and discrimination complaints. 

MIT has also created an Insitute Discrimination and Harassment Response (IDHR) office where anyone who has experienced maltreatment based on their identity can go for help and support. The school has also committed to strengthening non-retaliation, confidentiality, and whistleblower protections. 

Furthermore, MIT plans to appoint staff to advance their diversity, equity, inclusion, and community efforts. They will help oversee their respective MindHandHeart Department Support Project action plan, which seeks to address bullying and harassment and shed light on the negative power dynamics that often crop up in academic and organizational working environments. 

MIT is also hiring more educators to host in-person workshops and online classes to help staff recognize unconscious biases and teach them to take action and intervene in response to discriminatory behavior. 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

The Campus Pride Index rates MIT 4.5 out of 5 stars for its approach to LGBTQ+ inclusivity based on its policies, support, and resources for students in the community. MIT ranked five stars on all of their tenets, except LGBTQ+ Recruitment and Retention efforts, on which it ranked a 4. Below, we’ve listed some of the university’s resources:

The Office of LGBT Student Services (Rainbow Lounge)

Founded in 1969, MIT’s Rainbow Lounge is one of the oldest spaces of its kind. Students can engage with political, social, and academic programming. Its LGBT Issues Group, composed of LGBT students, faculty, and staff, is a pillar of campus advocacy and addresses social justice concerns that manifest on campus. 

Rainbow Compass Mentorship Program

This program seeks to connect graduate and undergraduate LGBTQ+ MIT students to LBGTQ+ faculty, staff, and alumni. The students are mentees that can develop structured and safe relationships with their mentors to further their personal and professional development. 

Housing

MIT doesn’t have official designated living communities for LGBTQ+ individuals, but there is a “Living Pink” survey that allows members of the community to weigh in on the different housing options and provide a resource for students as they choose housing. 

Gender-Neutral Bathrooms

MIT has many all-gender bathrooms spread throughout the campus, with several all gender multi-stall restrooms. The school plans to include even more in the future. 

Reporting Incidents

Students can report instances of harrassment, bias, discrimination, and hate via a reporting form on the school’s website. The school has a strict non-disrimination policy and a Title IX & Bias Response Office. 

How Diverse and Inclusive is Cambridge, MA?

Ethnic Diversity

The city has a variety of ethnic food options such as a Japanese-Spanish fusion restaurant, asian grocery stores, and cuisines ranging from French to Ethiopian to Indian.

The Advocate, an LGBT publication, has named Cambeidge the third-queerest city in America. The city has an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation, inclusive mental health options, and non-discrimination housing laws. 

The city is one of the most liberal cities in America, and is sometimes referred to as “The People’s Republic of Cambridge.” 57% of voters are registered with the Democratic Party, while only 3% are registered with the Republican Party. 

Is MIT the Right Fit for You?

While diversity is certainly an important aspect of your college selection process, choosing a school involves taking many factors into consideration. You’ll want to research MIT thoroughly, looking into its academic programs, extracurricular selection, and campus culture. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, CollegeVine is here to help, with resources like our chancing engine and school search tool. You can look for schools based on your preferences and chances of acceptance. We’ll also let you know how to improve your academic and extracurricular profile.