Carnegie Mellon vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Carnegie Mellon ($25,078 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 14.8% lower than at Stanford University ($18,166 vs. $21,315).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $336 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Stanford University (about $336 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Carnegie Mellon University (61% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($62,755 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $13,775 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($12,475 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($128 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.