Carnegie mellon vs Georgetown — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Carnegie mellon is the more selective of the two (11.7% vs 12.9% acceptance). Carnegie mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $103K). Carnegie mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,246 vs $68,017 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Carnegie mellon for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Georgetown for: a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie mellon is more selective (11.7% vs 12.9% acceptance); Carnegie mellon has a higher median SAT (1546 vs 1487).
Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $103K); Georgetown has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.8% vs 94.1%).
Carnegie mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,246 vs $68,017); Georgetown offers a larger average aid package ($63,415 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie mellon | Georgetown |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 11.7% | 12.9% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 43.9% |
| Median SAT | 1546 | 1487 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | — |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 26,822 |
| International students | 46% | 18% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $103K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $125K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $168K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 94.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.3% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $15,500 |
| Tuition · year | $66,246 | $68,017 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $63,415 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $33,272 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 19,905 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie mellon or Georgetown?
It's harder to get into Carnegie mellon. Carnegie mellon accepts 11.7% of applicants, while Georgetown accepts 12.9%.
Do Carnegie mellon or Georgetown graduates earn more?
Carnegie mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $103K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie mellon vs Georgetown?
Sticker-price tuition is $66,246 per year at Carnegie mellon and $68,017 per year at Georgetown.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie mellon or Georgetown?
The median admitted SAT score is 1546 at Carnegie mellon and 1487 at Georgetown; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Carnegie mellon or Georgetown?
Carnegie mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie mellon vs #501-600 for Georgetown.
Which university offers more financial aid — Carnegie mellon or Georgetown?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie mellon and $63,415 at Georgetown.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern