Colgate vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY 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 Colgate based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Colgate vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate 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 Colgate University than Carnegie Mellon ($28,736 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 3.1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,610 vs. $18,166).
• Colgate University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $4,060 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Colgate than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $4,060 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Colgate University (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($58,334 vs. $48,107).

Colgate vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate 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 Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Colgate vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,125 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($16,125 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($166 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.