Ohio State vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio State University Main Campus is located in Columbus, OH (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Ohio State vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio State University Main Campus than Carnegie Mellon ($19,783 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University Main Campus are 18.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,738 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 400.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $53,002 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $26,224 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio State University Main Campus than at Carnegie Mellon University (70% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 265.8% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($48,107 vs. $13,151).

Ohio State vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Ohio State (1400).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ohio State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio State - Required; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio State Feb 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Ohio State vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Ohio State vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio 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 Ohio State University Main Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $52,100 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($222 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 63%)

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.