EC vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

EC vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 Elmira College than Carnegie Mellon ($23,682 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 19.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,550 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 70% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $27,270 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Elmira College (about $27,270 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 67.2% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($48,107 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 300 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

EC vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $56,700 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 72%)

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.