Rutgers vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Rutgers vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than Carnegie Mellon ($20,522 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 13.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($15,714 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 269.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $48,317 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $28,805 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (51% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 187.3% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($48,107 vs. $16,742).

Rutgers vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 130 points higher than at Rutgers (1410).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Rutgers).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Rutgers vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick's (77%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $36,500 more per year than Rutgers graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $4,035 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($229 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 68%)

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.