SUNY Poly vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, 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 SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

SUNY Poly vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute than Carnegie Mellon ($14,782 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 8.7% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,584 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 668.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $57,621 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 212.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $45,031 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 475.6% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($48,107 vs. $8,357).

SUNY Poly vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 340 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

SUNY Poly vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $49,500 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $9,665 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($16,585 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($171 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly 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.