Purchase College vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY 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 Purchase College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Purchase College vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Carnegie Mellon ($18,211 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,436 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 639.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $57,293 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 245% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $47,043 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Carnegie Mellon University (72% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 361.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($48,107 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 260 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Purchase College vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $62,500 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($232 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 65%)

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.