MIT vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA 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 MIT based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

MIT vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Carnegie Mellon ($20,996 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 10.4% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,166 vs. $20,280).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,850 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,850 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Carnegie Mellon University (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 28.3% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($61,734 vs. $48,107).

MIT vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Carnegie Mellon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Carnegie Mellon - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

MIT vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $39,400 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $8,934 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($17,316 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($179 vs. $271).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carnegie Mellon students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.