Princeton vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ 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 Princeton based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Princeton vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 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).

Princeton vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted 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 75.5% at Princeton vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Princeton vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• 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.