Carnegie Mellon vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Carnegie Mellon admits 11.7% of applications, Iowa State admits 88.7%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 23.3% (Carnegie Mellon) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Iowa State reports aid for international students ($12,582 on average), Carnegie Mellon does not.
The tuition gap is $39,895 a year: $28,881 (Iowa State) against $68,776.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Carnegie Mellon is the more selective of the two (11.66% vs 88.66% 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 $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $68,776 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie Mellon is more selective (11.66% vs 88.66% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $63K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $68,776); Carnegie Mellon offers a larger average aid package ($60,909 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 23,095 |
| International students | 23.3% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Iowa State?
Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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