Denison vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, 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 Denison based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Denison vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison 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 Denison ($35,552 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 9.7% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,400 vs. $18,166).
• Denison University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $754 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Denison than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $754 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Carnegie Mellon University (94% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 26% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($48,107 vs. $38,179).

Denison vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison 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 Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 130 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Denison vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $46,600 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($268 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.