Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Penn State York 14:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Penn State York? 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 York than Carnegie Mellon ($18,887 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York 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 York (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 York (about $40,854 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Carnegie Mellon University (80% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 449.4% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($48,107 vs. $8,756).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 390 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Penn State York? 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Penn State York 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 York 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 York graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York 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.