Carnegie Mellon vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or PHC? 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 Patrick Henry College than Carnegie Mellon ($25,869 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 39.3% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($11,020 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 133.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $37,821 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.1% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Patrick Henry College (about $37,821 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 260.5% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($48,107 vs. $13,345).

Carnegie Mellon vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or PHC? 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 PHC and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 210 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Carnegie Mellon vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and PHC? 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).

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.