Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Carnegie Mellon ($23,570 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 5.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,166 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $2,440 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Penn than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $2,440 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University as at University of Pennsylvania (51% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 36.1% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($65,458 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is the same as at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Carnegie Mellon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 68% at Penn.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,617 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($213 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.