Culinary Institute of America vs. Carlow University

Comparable Facts

Compare Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Culinary Institute of America is larger than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (3,147 students vs. 2,416 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting); Carlow University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carlow University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Culinary Institute of America 18:1; Carlow University 12:1.

Culinary Institute of America vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University than Culinary Institute of America ($21,002 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carlow University are 8.1% lower than at Culinary Institute of America ($13,808 vs. $15,030).
• Culinary Institute of America is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carlow University (about $3,976 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $35,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Carlow University (about $3,976 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $35,874.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America as at Carlow University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 45.9% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($28,233 vs. $19,350).

Culinary Institute of America vs. Carlow University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University and Culinary Institute of America.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Culinary Institute of America (1060) is the same as at Carlow University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 928/1183; Carlow University 960/1168.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Culinary Institute of America - Test optional; Carlow University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Carlow University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at Culinary Institute of America vs. 15.7% at Carlow University.

Culinary Institute of America vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Culinary Institute of America and Carlow University? 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).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Carlow University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Carlow University graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carlow University graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carlow University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 59%)

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.