Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA, and University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Philadelphia, PA. University of Pennsylvania is the more selective of the two, admitting about 5% of applicants against 12% at Carnegie Mellon University. University of Pennsylvania is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $28,699 a year against $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. About 97% of students graduate at University of Pennsylvania, compared with 93% at Carnegie Mellon University. Ten years after enrolling, Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn a median of about $114,862, against $111,371 for University of Pennsylvania.
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- Is Carnegie Mellon University or University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
- University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 12% 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.
- Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or University of Pennsylvania?
- University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,699 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 University of Pennsylvania?
- Before aid, Carnegie Mellon University costs about $83,654 a year and University of Pennsylvania about $89,028. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
- University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-3,012 there, against about $9,097 at Carnegie Mellon University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carnegie Mellon University or University of Pennsylvania?
- University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 10,650 undergraduates against 7,304 at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Does Carnegie Mellon University or University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
- University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 93% at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Do graduates of Carnegie Mellon University or 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 $111,371 for University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. University of Pennsylvania requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pennsylvania look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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