Carnegie Mellon vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Carnegie Mellon ($18,427 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 18.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,800 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 203.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $44,443 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $6,734 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (51% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 67.5% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($48,107 vs. $28,715).

Carnegie Mellon vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 60 points higher than at UVA (1480).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at UVA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 40% at UVA.

Carnegie Mellon vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($201 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.