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Carnegie Mellon University vs Franklin and Marshall College

Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA. Franklin and Marshall College is a private college in Lancaster, PA. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants and Franklin and Marshall College about 28%, making Carnegie Mellon University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $31,944 a year at Carnegie Mellon University after aid, and about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. About 93% of students graduate at Carnegie Mellon University, compared with 85% at Franklin and Marshall College. Ten years after enrolling, Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn a median of about $114,862, against $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College.

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Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Lancaster, PA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
7,304
1,799
Acceptance rate
12%
28%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1310–1463
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
30–33
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,944
$36,425
Full cost / yr
$83,654
$85,776
In-state tuition
$66,246
$70,794
Out-of-state tuition
$66,246
$70,794
Application fee
$75
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,097
$12,321
$30k - $48k
$6,994
$16,942
$48k - $75k
$14,468
$16,245
$75k - $110k
$24,865
$25,104
Over $110k
$51,480
$49,996
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
85%
Freshman retention
98%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$105,360
$62,544
Median earnings (10 yr)
$114,862
$76,124
Median debt at graduation
$21,750
$19,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
16%
First-generation students
10%
19%
International students
19%
17%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 15

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Carnegie Mellon University or Franklin and Marshall College harder to get into?
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into. It admits about 12% of applicants, compared with 28% at Franklin and Marshall 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 Franklin and Marshall College?
Carnegie Mellon University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $31,944 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. 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 Franklin and Marshall College?
Before aid, Carnegie Mellon University costs about $83,654 a year and Franklin and Marshall College about $85,776. 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 Franklin and Marshall College?
Carnegie Mellon University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,097 there, against about $12,321 at Franklin and Marshall 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 Franklin and Marshall College?
Carnegie Mellon University is the larger of the two, with about 7,304 undergraduates against 1,799 at Franklin and Marshall College.
Does Carnegie Mellon University or Franklin and Marshall College have a better graduation rate?
Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 85% at Franklin and Marshall College.
Do graduates of Carnegie Mellon University or Franklin and Marshall College earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $114,862 ten years after enrolling, against about $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Carnegie Mellon University and Franklin and Marshall College require SAT or ACT scores?
Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Franklin and Marshall College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and Franklin and Marshall College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 1310–1463 at Franklin and Marshall College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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