MIT Center for Real Estate
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
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- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
MSRED students experience an intensive year that demands full commitment while offering exceptional professional development. The cohort of 35-40 students typically includes substantial international representation, diverse professional backgrounds, and a mix of those returning to established careers and those pivoting into real estate. Most students have meaningful professional experience before enrolling, enriching classroom discussions. Housing is the responsibility of individual students. Cambridge's competitive rental market means early searching is advisable. Many students share apartments to manage costs, with neighborhoods around MIT and in nearby Somerville popular choices. The center's staff provides guidance on housing search strategies for incoming students. Student life centers on intense collaboration. Group projects require extensive teamwork, and study groups form to tackle challenging quantitative material. Evening events bring together students with alumni and industry speakers. The annual MIT CRE Alumni Conference is a highlight, connecting current students with hundreds of graduates working across the industry. Real estate career treks take students to major markets to meet employers and observe projects. Recent treks have visited New York, London, San Francisco, and other major centers. These trips combine networking with learning about market-specific dynamics and career opportunities. The compressed academic calendar leaves limited time for activities beyond coursework and career preparation. Students should expect to work hard throughout the year, with particular intensity around application deadlines for summer positions and recruiting cycles. However, the payoff comes in the form of strong career outcomes and lasting professional relationships.
Location & Surroundings
MIT CRE is housed on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with specific facilities in the Metropolitan Warehouse Building near the Kendall Square area. This location places the center at the heart of a region experiencing dramatic real estate transformation, with life sciences, technology, and innovation driving development in ways that provide living case studies. Cambridge and the Greater Boston area offer rich real estate markets for observation and analysis. The region includes major institutional investors, innovative developers, established firms, and startups disrupting traditional real estate practices. Students can observe development projects, attend industry events, and build networks within a major market throughout their year. The New England climate features distinct seasons, with cold winters including snow and ice. The compact urban layout means walking and public transit handle most transportation needs, though weather-appropriate clothing is essential. The MBTA subway and bus systems connect Cambridge to Boston and surrounding areas, with most real estate-relevant destinations accessible by transit. Boston's Logan International Airport provides domestic and international connections, convenient for career-related travel and recruiting trips. The cost of living in Cambridge is high, with housing the largest expense for most students. Rent for shared accommodations typically starts around $1,200-1,500 per room, with studio apartments significantly more expensive. The concentration of universities and research institutions creates a vibrant intellectual environment extending beyond real estate. Museums, theaters, restaurants, and cultural venues provide diversions from academic intensity. The combination of major market activity and manageable city scale makes Boston/Cambridge an excellent setting for real estate education.
Costs & Career Outcomes
The MSRED program represents a significant financial investment. Tuition for the 11-month program is approximately $78,000-82,000, with additional expenses for housing, books, living costs, and career-related travel bringing total cost of attendance to approximately $120,000-140,000. Scholarship support is available but limited. The center offers merit-based scholarships to selected admitted students, with awards ranging from partial to near-full tuition coverage. External scholarships may be available depending on nationality and background. Many students finance their education through personal savings, employer sponsorship, or loans. Career outcomes are strong and justify the investment for most graduates. The center reports near-complete employment within six months of graduation, with median starting salaries exceeding $150,000 in recent years. Top hiring companies include major real estate investment firms like Blackstone, Brookfield, and CBRE; development companies; institutional investors; and consulting firms. Graduates also join entrepreneurial ventures and family businesses. Career services support is robust, with dedicated staff helping students identify opportunities, prepare applications, and navigate recruiting. The alumni network actively participates in recruiting and mentoring. The annual career fair brings numerous employers to campus specifically seeking MIT CRE graduates. Geographic distribution of placements spans major markets globally, with concentrations in New York, Boston, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, and other financial centers. The combination of MIT's brand recognition, the program's analytical training, and alumni network strength creates excellent career positioning. Return on investment timelines vary but most graduates report the program's value becoming clear within a few years.
Campus Location
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