Kalamazoo College vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kalamazoo College is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kalamazoo College 10:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Kalamazoo College vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College than Carnegie Mellon ($26,956 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 30.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($12,549 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kalamazoo College (about $5,196 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $61,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Kalamazoo College (about $5,196 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $61,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Carnegie Mellon University (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Kalamazoo College students ($48,107 vs. $47,252).

Kalamazoo College vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 260 points higher than at Kalamazoo College (1280).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 1170/1380; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 20/29; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kalamazoo College - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Kalamazoo College vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Kalamazoo College vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kalamazoo 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Kalamazoo College's (80%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $48,300 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $200 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($271 vs. $273).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 81%)

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.