Yale vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT 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 Yale based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 15,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Yale vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Carnegie Mellon ($22,408 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 8.7% lower than at Yale University ($18,166 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,004 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Yale than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,004 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Carnegie Mellon University (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 37% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($65,892 vs. $48,107).

Yale vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale 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 Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Yale vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($13,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($139 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.