Carnegie Mellon vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Carnegie Mellon ($22,546 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 18.4% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,828 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 514.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $55,471 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 193.1% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $43,647 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at Carnegie Mellon University (73% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 742.7% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($48,107 vs. $5,709).

Carnegie Mellon vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 350 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Carnegie Mellon vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $53,700 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($242 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU 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.