AU vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

AU vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Carnegie Mellon? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carnegie Mellon University than AU ($35,552 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,982 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $7,475 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at American University (about $7,475 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Carnegie Mellon University (67% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by American University students ($48,107 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Carnegie Mellon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carnegie Mellon and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 170 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

AU vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Carnegie Mellon? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $37,900 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($250 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.