Tulane vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA 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 Tulane based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 13,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Tulane vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Carnegie Mellon University than Tulane ($35,552 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 3.7% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($18,166 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $2,432 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Tulane than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $2,432 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tulane University of Louisiana than at Carnegie Mellon University (60% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($48,107 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• Tulane has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Tulane vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $28,500 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $1,279 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($271 vs. $284).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 62%)

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.