Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

about

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!   

president

L. Rafael Reif
L. Rafael Reif has served as the 17th president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since July 2012.

Visit President Reif's
site for more information

Institute initiatives

• Digital learning
• Integrated Learning Science
• Climate Change
• Energy
• Environmental solutions
• Innovation
• Entrepreneurship
• Cancer
• Global

Institutional Awards and Honors

• MIT ranked No. 1 among world's universities
• MIT ranked No. 1 in architecture globally
• MIT named No. 1 university worldwide for social sciences
• MIT is ranked among the best three universities in the world for Arts and Humanities fields

more news from MIT

media relations

Giving to MIT
MIT is a place of extraordinary interactions. It's a setting where people and ideas come together in new ways—illuminating mysteries, making sparks fly, and fostering intellectual breakthroughs.

But these extraordinary interactions need a strong financial foundation. We will rely on the support of our alumni and friends as we work to strengthen the Institute's work.

Learn more about Giving to MIT

100 BEST COLLEGES USA AND UK

Best Colleges

The 2016 Best Colleges ranking calculates millions of statistics and student reviews into one overall college ranking. The top ranked colleges are elite academic institutions that provide a good value, attract a diverse student body, and offer an exceptional college experience.

1. Stanford University Stanford, CA
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
   
3. Yale University New Haven, CT
   
4. Harvard University Cambridge, MA
   
5. Rice University Houston, TX
   
6. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
   
7. Duke University Durham, NC
   
8. Brown University Providence, RI
   
9. California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA
   
10. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
    
11. Princeton University Princeton, NJ
    
12. Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO
    
13. University of Notre Dame South Bend, IN
    
14. Columbia University New York City, NY
    
15. Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
    
16. University of Texas - Austin Austin, TX
    
17. Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
    
18. Georgetown University Washington, D.C.
    
19. Williams College Williamstown, MA
    
20. University of Chicago Chicago, IL
    
21. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
    
22. Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
    
23. Cornell University Ithaca, NY
24. Carleton College Northfield, MN
    
25. University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
    
26. University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
    
27. Washington & Lee University Lexington, VA
    
28. University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA
    
29. Pomona College Claremont, CA
    
30. Northwestern University Evanston, IL
    
31. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
    
32. Emory University Atlanta, GA
    
33. Colgate University Hamilton, NY
    
34. Amherst College Amherst Town, MA
    
35. Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA
    
36. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
    
37. University of Florida Gainesville, FL
    
38. University of Wisconsin Madison, WI
    
39. Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
    
40. Texas A&M University College Station, TX
    
41. University of Georgia Athens, GA
    
42. Middlebury College Middlebury, VT
    
43. Haverford College Haverford Township, PA
    
44. Tufts University Medford, MA
    
45. University of Richmond Richmond, VA
    
46. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
    
47. Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
    
48. Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
    
49. Penn State State College, PA
    
50. Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
    
51. Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
    
52. Hamilton College Clinton, NY
    
53. University of Washington Seattle, WA
    
54. Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
    
55. University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
    
56. Colby College Waterville, ME
    
57. New York University New York City, NY
    
58. Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
    
59. Brigham Young University Provo, UT
    
60. Ohio State University Columbus, OH
    
61. Grinnell College Grinnell, IA
    
62. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
    
63. College of William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
    
64. University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
    
65. University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
    
66. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
    
67. Northeastern University Boston, MA
    
68. Franklin & Marshall College Lancaster, PA
    
69. Davidson College Davidson, NC
    
70. Purdue University West Lafayette, IN
    
71. Macalester College St. Paul, MN
    
72. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
    
73. Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
    
74. Union College - New York Schenectady, NY
    
75. Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
    
76. Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
    
77. University of California - Davis Davis, CA
    
78. Boston College Newton, MA
    
79. College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
    
80. University of Rochester Rochester, NY
    
81. Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA
    
82. Clemson University Clemson, SC
    
83. Bates College Lewiston, ME
    
84. Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
    
85. Brandeis University Waltham, MA
    
86. Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
    
87. Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA
    
88. Boston University Boston, MA
    
89. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN
    
90. Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
    
91. Kenyon College Gambier, OH
    
92. University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
    
93. Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
    
94. Tulane University New Orleans, LA
    
95. Whitworth University Spokane, WA
    
96. Oberlin College Oberlin, OH
    
97. Lafayette College Easton, PA
    
98. Clark University Worcester, MA
    
99. Iowa State University Ames, IA
    
100. Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
     

Stanford University, located between San Francisco

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

About Stanford

Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world.

Stanford's 125th Anniversary

This year, Stanford celebrates 125 years of impact in people’s lives and around the world. Visit the Stanford 125 website for information about upcoming events and special online content about Stanford's past, present and future

Stanford Facts at a Glance

Opened 1891

Student Enrollment

• Undergraduates: 6,994
• Graduates: 9,128

Campus

• 8,180 contiguous acres in six governmental jurisdictions
• 700 major buildings
• 97% of undergraduates live on campus

Research

• 5,500 externally sponsored projects
• $1.22 billion total budget

Faculty

• 2,153 faculty members
• 20 Nobel laureates are currently members of the Stanford community
• 4:1 student to faculty ratio

Stanford Facts & History

Stanford Facts and the Annual Report are published each year to provide current information and statistics about the university. You can also read about Stanford's history.

Stanford Facts at a Glance

Stanford University is one of the world's leading research universities. It is known for its entrepreneurial character, drawn from the legacy of its founders, Jane and Leland Stanford, and its relationship to Silicon Valley. Areas of excellence range from the humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences. Stanford is located in California's Bay Area, one of the most intellectually dynamic and culturally diverse areas of the nation.

Student Enrollment

• 6,994 undergraduates
• 9,128 graduates

Faculty

• 2,153 faculty members
• 20 Nobel laureates are currently members of the Stanford community
• 4:1 student to faculty ratio

Campus

• 8,180 contiguous acres
• Nearly 700 major buildings
• 97% of undergraduates live on campus

Research

• 5,500 externally sponsored projects
• $1.22 billion total budget

Established 1885
Opened 1891

Leadership

• President John Hennessy
• Provost John Etchemendy

since 2000

Seven Schools

• Business
• Earth Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Humanities and Sciences
• Law
• Medicine

Endowment

• $22.2 billion (as of Aug. 31, 2015)

Annual Report Message from the President

by President John Hennessy

In 2016, Stanford University will celebrate its 125th anniversary — looking to the future, even as it builds on and honors its past.

This is my 16th and last year as Stanford’s president — and my 38th year as a member of the faculty — and the strength of the university’s foundations and its pioneering spirit has never been more palpable. As was evident in the activities and achievements of 2015, the adventurous spirit of our community and its commitment to making a difference continue to distinguish Stanford and draw people to the university.

Contact Stanford University

General Contact Information

Telephone (campus operator)

650-723-2300

Primary address

Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305–2004 

PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS

We believe that knowledge empowers people to do great things in this world. We also believe that you shouldn't have to put your life on hold to gain that knowledge.
The idea of distance education is not a new concept for us. We've been offering Penn State courses at a distance for more than 125 years. In 1892, Penn State founded one of the nation's first correspondence courses. And in 1998, we were one of the first major accredited universities to provide online education.
At Penn State World Campus, our mission is making sure you have access to a quality academic experience, even if you have job and family obligations to fulfill. If you can’t come to one of our brick-and-mortar campuses, we'll bring our campus to you.

We are...

convenient, flexible, quality

Our online courses are the same academically challenging courses taught on campus. Yet our online courses are flexible — the asynchronous format allows you to learn at your convenience without stepping onto a campus. And in the end, the degree or certificate you earn as a World Campus student is identical to the one awarded to all of our Penn State graduates on campus.

We are...

passionate, driven, achievers

Our students come from all 50 states, more than 60 countries, and 7 continents, yet they share the goal of making their lives better through education.

We are...

world-renowned faculty

Our faculty, the same faculty who teach on campus, are well-respected leaders in their fields and are renowned experts in the subjects they teach. They are also committed to making sure you get a quality academic experience in your online courses.

We are...

caring, dedicated

Our staff understands that adult students deal with outside responsibilities and challenging life circumstances. We are there to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

We are Penn State — online.

 

Student Stories - Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering - Neil Barnas

As an air force captain, a husband, and the father of a toddler, Neil realized that the best way he could pursue his goal of a master's degree in systems engineering would be to find a top-notch program online. "Systems engineering is a hot topic in the air force," Neil said, "and it's a discipline that has always made a lot of sense to me."
After looking at several programs, Neil said he chose the World Campus' master of engineering in systems engineering program because he was impressed by Penn State's reputation for excellence: "I wanted a quality education that would make a difference in my career."
The duration of the program was an added benefit. "Many of my friends and co-workers have spent 3, 4, or 5 years completing their master's degrees," Neil said. "The World Campus' 2-year schedule is more rigorous, but it has helped me to retain the material, allowing it to be leveraged more effectively throughout the program."
Neil also had the distinction of being one of the first 27 working professionals from around the United States to complete Penn State's master's degree program in systems engineering, which focuses on a holistic approach to managing complex engineering projects. Having recently taken on an assignment as an acquisition professional, Neil said that his newly acquired knowledge will benefit the air force.
Earning his master's degree was well worth the investment of time and effort, according to Neil: "The Penn State systems engineering master's program was the perfect avenue to fulfill my own interests and to help the USAF improve its acquisition processes."
Neil's advice for other service members is to continue their education and training, either by choosing an online degree program, as he did, or by selecting an on-campus program. "It's important to keep learning," he said. "I wanted a quality education that would make a difference in my career. And Penn State really sets itself apart in that regard."

 

 

As an air force captain, a husband, and the father of a toddler, Neil realized that the best way he could pursue his goal of a master's degree in systems engineering would be to find a top-notch program online. "Systems engineering is a hot topic in the air force," Neil said, "and it's a discipline that has always made a lot of sense to me."
After looking at several programs, Neil said he chose the World Campus' master of engineering in systems engineering program because he was impressed by Penn State's reputation for excellence: "I wanted a quality education that would make a difference in my career."
The duration of the program was an added benefit. "Many of my friends and co-workers have spent 3, 4, or 5 years completing their master's degrees," Neil said. "The World Campus' 2-year schedule is more rigorous, but it has helped me to retain the material, allowing it to be leveraged more effectively throughout the program."
Neil also had the distinction of being one of the first 27 working professionals from around the United States to complete Penn State's master's degree program in systems engineering, which focuses on a holistic approach to managing complex engineering projects. Having recently taken on an assignment as an acquisition professional, Neil said that his newly acquired knowledge will benefit the air force.
Earning his master's degree was well worth the investment of time and effort, according to Neil: "The Penn State systems engineering master's program was the perfect avenue to fulfill my own interests and to help the USAF improve its acquisition processes."
Neil's advice for other service members is to continue their education and training, either by choosing an online degree program, as he did, or by selecting an on-campus program. "It's important to keep learning," he said. "I wanted a quality education that would make a difference in my career. And Penn State really sets itself apart in that regard."

“The Penn State systems engineering master's program was the perfect avenue to fulfill my own interests and to help the USAF improve its acquisition processes.”

— Neil Barnas

Contact the Program - Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering

 

To learn more about the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering, offered in partnership with the Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, please contact:
World Campus Admission Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: wdadmissions@outreach.psu.edu