Northwestern vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Northwestern vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern University than Carnegie Mellon ($26,830 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 14% lower than at Northwestern University ($18,166 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $2,076 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Northwestern than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $2,076 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Carnegie Mellon University (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($64,429 vs. $48,107).

Northwestern vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Carnegie Mellon (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Northwestern vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,872 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($200 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

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.