Hillsdale College vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan 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 Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hillsdale College is located in Hillsdale, Michigan (Distant Town setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Hillsdale College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hillsdale College 8:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Hillsdale College vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hillsdale College 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 Hillsdale College than Carnegie Mellon ($23,993 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsdale College are 25.1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($13,600 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 99.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hillsdale College (about $33,057 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.6% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Hillsdale College (about $33,057 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hillsdale College than at Carnegie Mellon University (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 97.7% larger than aid received by Hillsdale College students ($48,107 vs. $24,328).

Hillsdale College vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hillsdale College 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 Hillsdale College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 130 points higher than at Hillsdale College (1410).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Hillsdale College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hillsdale College 1320/1490; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hillsdale College 30/33; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hillsdale College - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Hillsdale College has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at Hillsdale College vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Hillsdale College vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hillsdale College 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).

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.