Skip to content

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.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
7,304
10,650
Acceptance rate
12%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.53–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1510–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
34–36
Test policy
Considered
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,944
$28,699
Full cost / yr
$83,654
$89,028
In-state tuition
$66,246
$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
$66,246
$68,686
Application fee
$75
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,097
$0*
$30k - $48k
$6,994
$316
$48k - $75k
$14,468
$10,439
$75k - $110k
$24,865
$25,476
Over $110k
$51,480
$55,972
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
97%
Freshman retention
98%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$105,360
$90,555
Median earnings (10 yr)
$114,862
$111,371
Median debt at graduation
$21,750
$15,715
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
17%
First-generation students
10%
19%
International students
19%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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 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.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school