George Washington vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

George Washington vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($35,552 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 6.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,920 vs. $18,166).
• George Washington University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,464 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at George Washington than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,464 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Carnegie Mellon University (78% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 28.3% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($48,107 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 110 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

George Washington vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $22,200 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $1,288 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($24,962 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($258 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

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.