Carnegie Mellon vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Carnegie Mellon ($21,800 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 21.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,250 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 352.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $51,606 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.4% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Mary Washington (about $38,686 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Carnegie Mellon University (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 358.6% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($48,107 vs. $10,491).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,200 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($222 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

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.