Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg than Carnegie Mellon ($23,788 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 20.3% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,474 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 314.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $50,274 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $39,288 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at Carnegie Mellon University (63% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 420.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($48,107 vs. $9,245).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 320 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 69%)

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.