Carnegie Mellon vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College than Carnegie Mellon ($32,158 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 6.3% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,028 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $5,036 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Ursinus College (about $5,036 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($48,107 vs. $44,754).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 250 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $44,700 more per year than Ursinus College 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 $750 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.