U of R vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, 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 U of R based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Rochester 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 Rochester 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

U of R vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 Carnegie Mellon University than U of R ($35,552 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 8.2% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,166 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $834 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at U of R than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $834 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Carnegie Mellon University (72% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($48,107 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 60 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

U of R vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($253 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 79%)

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.