Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Cornell University than Carnegie Mellon ($26,361 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 6.5% lower than at Cornell University ($18,166 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $3,068 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Cornell than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $3,068 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Cornell University (51% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($61,779 vs. $48,107).

Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is the same as at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Cornell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Carnegie Mellon (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $14,250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($124 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

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.