Carnegie Mellon vs. Princeton vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 9,137 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Carnegie Mellon vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Carnegie Mellon ($15,313 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 10.3% lower than at Princeton University ($18,166 vs. $20,250).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,558 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Princeton University (about $3,558 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Carnegie Mellon University (67% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($68,727 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or Princeton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Princeton and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Princeton (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Princeton students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Princeton? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $18,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $194 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($77 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.