Carnegie Mellon vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($35,552 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 0.4% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($18,096 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $3,834 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Drexel University (about $3,834 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($48,107 vs. $35,051).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 200 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $7 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,243 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Drexel University and Carnegie Mellon graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($271 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 77%)

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.