Carnegie Mellon vs. F&M

Carnegie Mellon University and Franklin and Marshall College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carnegie Mellon University
Franklin and Marshall College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carnegie Mellon (11.7% admitted vs 28.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carnegie Mellon. Average net price is $35,552 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: Carnegie Mellon 87% vs F&M 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carnegie Mellon $102,700 vs F&M $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Carnegie Mellon University Franklin and Marshall College
Acceptance rate
Carnegie Mellon more selective
Carnegie Mellon11.7%
F&M28.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carnegie Mellon higher
Carnegie Mellon1500-1570
F&M1310-1463
Average net price
Carnegie Mellon $8,435 less
Carnegie Mellon$35,552
F&M$43,987
In-state tuition
Carnegie Mellon $4,548 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
F&M$70,794
Out-of-state tuition
Carnegie Mellon $4,548 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
F&M$70,794
Graduation rate
Carnegie Mellon +2 pts
Carnegie Mellon87%
F&M85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carnegie Mellon +$40,800
Carnegie Mellon$102,700
F&M$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carnegie Mellon 33,941
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Carnegie Mellon 3,959
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 11.7%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carnegie Mellon 45.7%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 1540
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 34
  • F&M 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carnegie Mellon 3.89
  • F&M -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carnegie Mellon A
  • F&M -
  • Admissions standards
  • Carnegie Mellon Elite
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Carnegie Mellon Very High
  • F&M High
  • SAT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 1500-1570
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • ACT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 34-35
  • F&M 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & board
  • Carnegie Mellon $18,166
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average net price
  • Carnegie Mellon $35,552
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon $48,107
  • F&M $41,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon 51%
  • F&M 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 87%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carnegie Mellon $102,700
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carnegie Mellon 91%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carnegie Mellon $26,250
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carnegie Mellon $271
  • F&M $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carnegie Mellon 5:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carnegie Mellon
    • Engineering (26%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Carnegie Mellon Large City
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carnegie Mellon 15,888
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Carnegie Mellon Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carnegie Mellon #45
  • F&M #60

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 10.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($16,188 vs. $18,166).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at F&M than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $4,548 more per year; $70,794 vs. $66,246).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Carnegie Mellon University (80% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($48,107 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Carnegie Mellon than at F&M (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carnegie Mellon and F&M.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($227 vs. $271).
  • More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 88%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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