Carnegie Mellon vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Brown based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 11,956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Brown University 6:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Brown? 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 Brown University than Carnegie Mellon ($26,256 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 4% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,444 vs. $18,166).
• Brown University is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $5,166 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Brown than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $5,166 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Carnegie Mellon University (52% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($61,392 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or Brown? 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 Brown and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Brown - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Brown? 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).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Brown graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $87,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($15,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($155 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brown students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.