Carnegie Mellon University vs Central Penn College
Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA. Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants and Central Penn College about 18%, making Carnegie Mellon University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,953 a year at Central Penn College after aid, and about $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. About 93% of students graduate at Carnegie Mellon University, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn a median of about $114,862, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Summerdale, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
7,304
662
Acceptance rate
12%
18%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
660–910
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
13–17
Test policy
Considered
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,944
$18,953
Full cost / yr
$83,654
$27,116
In-state tuition
$66,246
$19,854
Out-of-state tuition
$66,246
$19,854
Application fee
$75
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,097
$15,859
$30k - $48k
$6,994
$19,164
$48k - $75k
$14,468
$17,011
$75k - $110k
$24,865
$18,973
Over $110k
$51,480
$23,656
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
43%
Freshman retention
98%
65%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$105,360
$40,798
Median earnings (10 yr)
$114,862
$45,370
Median debt at graduation
$21,750
$23,194
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
49%
First-generation students
10%
51%
International students
19%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College harder to get into?
- Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into. It admits about 12% of applicants, compared with 18% at Central Penn College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College?
- Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Carnegie Mellon University and Central Penn College?
- Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Carnegie Mellon University about $83,654. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College?
- Carnegie Mellon University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,097 there, against about $15,859 at Central Penn College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College?
- Carnegie Mellon University is the larger of the two, with about 7,304 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
- Does Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College have a better graduation rate?
- Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 43% at Central Penn College.
- Do graduates of Carnegie Mellon University or Central Penn College earn more?
- Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $114,862 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carnegie Mellon University and Central Penn College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and Central Penn College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 660–910 at Central Penn College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Carnegie Mellon University vs University of PennsylvaniaCarnegie Mellon University vs Lehigh UniversityCarnegie Mellon University vs Villanova UniversityCentral Penn College vs Curtis Institute of MusicCentral Penn College vs Moore College of Art and DesignCentral Penn College vs University of Valley Forge
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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