WUSTL vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

WUSTL vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL 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 Washington University in St Louis than Carnegie Mellon ($22,408 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 16.9% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,166 vs. $21,854).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $456 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Washington University in St Louis (about $456 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Washington University in St Louis (51% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 37.4% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($66,080 vs. $48,107).

WUSTL vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL 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 WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is the same as at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

WUSTL vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $6,350 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($19,900 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($205 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 88%)

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.