Carnegie Mellon vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (35,724 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than Carnegie Mellon ($25,223 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 25% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($13,620 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 202.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $44,320 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $24,816 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at Carnegie Mellon University (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 191.7% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($48,107 vs. $16,494).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 170 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 13% at Pitt.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Pitt? 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 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $44,700 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $659 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($271 vs. $278).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.