Carnegie mellon vs Harvard — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 11.7% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #1). Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $66,246 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: higher graduate earnings.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 11.7% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1546).
Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.1%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $66,246); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie mellon | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.7% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1546 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 54,008 |
| International students | 46% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $139K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $66,246 | $61,676 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie mellon or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Carnegie mellon accepts 11.7% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.6%.
Do Carnegie mellon or Harvard graduates earn more?
Carnegie mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie mellon vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $66,246 per year at Carnegie mellon and $61,676 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie mellon or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1546 at Carnegie mellon and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Carnegie mellon or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie mellon vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid — Carnegie mellon or Harvard?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie mellon and $74,387 at Harvard.
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina