Fordham vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Fordham University in Bronx, NY with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Fordham vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham 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 Fordham ($35,552 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 24.6% lower than at Fordham University ($18,166 vs. $24,090).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $1,331 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Fordham University (about $1,331 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Carnegie Mellon University (95% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($48,107 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham 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 Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Fordham vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $38,500 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Fordham 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 Fordham students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 77%)

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.