Carnegie Mellon vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University than Carnegie Mellon ($23,055 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 2.8% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($18,166 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,799 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Washington and Lee than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,799 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Carnegie Mellon University (64% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($63,945 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Washington and Lee? 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($222 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.