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 harassment, and its future plans to improve upon its approach to inclusion.
Overview of MIT Diversity Statistics
Ethnic Diversity
|
Ethnicity |
Percentage |
|
White |
21.9% |
|
Asian |
33.9% |
|
Hispanic or Latino |
14.75% |
|
Two or more races |
7.4% |
|
Black or African-American |
7.7% |
|
American Indian or Alaska Native |
.04% |
Relative to other schools in the nation, MIT can be classified as diverse based on its current student population statistics.
Financial Diversity
The median family income for students attending MIT sits around $187,500, 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’s 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 $140,000 qualify for no-loan financial aid. In the 2022-2023 school year, MIT also started guaranteeing free tuition for students’ whose families have a household income of $140,000 or less.
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
|
Ethnic Group |
Percentage |
|
White (non-Hispanic) |
58.6% |
|
Asian |
17.5% |
|
Black or African American |
9.79% |
|
White (Hispanic) |
5.61% |
|
Two+ identities |
3.91% |
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.” 29% of voters are registered with the Democratic Party, while only 8.81% 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.
