Carnegie Mellon vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Villanova based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 10,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carnegie Mellon vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Villanova? 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 Carnegie Mellon University than Villanova ($35,552 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 2.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,694 vs. $18,166).
• Villanova University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,530 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Villanova than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,530 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Villanova University (51% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 1% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($48,107 vs. $47,609).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 90 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Villanova graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $85,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $247 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($271 vs. $273).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Villanova students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

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.