UChicago vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UChicago vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 University of Chicago than Carnegie Mellon ($28,060 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 9.7% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,166 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $4,416 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at UChicago than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $4,416 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at University of Chicago (51% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($62,300 vs. $48,107).

UChicago vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming UChicago 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: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

UChicago vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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).

• University of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UChicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $98,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $11,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($14,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($149 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.