Case Western vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Case Western based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 12,475 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Case Western Reserve University 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Case Western vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Case Western or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Case Western ($35,552 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 3.2% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($18,166 vs. $18,762).
• Case Western Reserve University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $362 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Case Western than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $362 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Case Western Reserve University than at Carnegie Mellon University (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($48,107 vs. $41,913).

Case Western vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Case Western (1490).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Case Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 32/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Case Western - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Case Western Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Case Western (3.86).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at Case Western vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Case Western vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Case Western and Carnegie Mellon? 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Case Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $84,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Case Western Reserve University graduates have a $2,184 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($24,066 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Case Western graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($248 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.