Carnegie Mellon University vs Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA, and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. Carnegie Mellon University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 12% of applicants against 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,699 a year against $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. About 93% of students graduate at Carnegie Mellon University, compared with 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn a median of about $114,862, against $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
7,304
9,210
Acceptance rate
12%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.16–3.66
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
990–1190
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
18–25
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,944
$15,699
Full cost / yr
$83,654
$25,161
In-state tuition
$66,246
$11,046
Out-of-state tuition
$66,246
$22,870
Application fee
$75
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,097
$11,374
$30k - $48k
$6,994
$11,370
$48k - $75k
$14,468
$13,877
$75k - $110k
$24,865
$17,989
Over $110k
$51,480
$20,099
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
54%
Freshman retention
98%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$105,360
$44,053
Median earnings (10 yr)
$114,862
$52,416
Median debt at graduation
$21,750
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
32%
First-generation students
10%
34%
International students
19%
0%
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 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
- Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into. It admits about 12% of applicants, compared with 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. 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 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 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 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 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 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Carnegie Mellon University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,097 there, against about $11,374 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carnegie Mellon University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 9,210 undergraduates against 7,304 at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Does Carnegie Mellon University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
- Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
- Do graduates of Carnegie Mellon University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earn more?
- Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $114,862 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carnegie Mellon University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. 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 UniversityCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs University of PennsylvaniaCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Lehigh UniversityCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Villanova University
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