Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Scranton is in Dunmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Scranton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Penn State Scranton 11:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton than Carnegie Mellon ($17,536 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton are 15.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($15,274 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 335.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Scranton (about $51,038 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Penn State Scranton (about $40,854 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Scranton than at Carnegie Mellon University (80% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 376.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($48,107 vs. $10,089).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 350 points higher than at Penn State Scranton (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Penn State Scranton 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn State Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton 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 Scranton graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Scranton 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.