Michigan vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Michigan vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 University of Michigan Ann Arbor than Carnegie Mellon ($17,574 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor are 15.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($15,328 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 273.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $48,510 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (about $5,300 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $60,946.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Ann Arbor than at Carnegie Mellon University (59% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 91.7% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($48,107 vs. $25,099).

Michigan vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 90 points higher than at Michigan (1450).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Michigan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Michigan (3.88).
• Michigan has a higher acceptance rate (15.6%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.3% at Michigan vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Michigan vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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).

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than Michigan graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $74,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $6,147 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($20,103 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($207 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 78%)

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.