NC State vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

NC State vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Carnegie Mellon ($15,522 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 21.1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,332 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 652.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $57,447 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $33,399 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh as at Carnegie Mellon University (51% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 312.1% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($48,107 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 150 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

NC State vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $45,500 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $5,468 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($20,782 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($214 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.