Carnegie Mellon vs Kansas State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Kansas State accepts most of the applications it receives (82%), while Carnegie Mellon turns away the overwhelming majority (11.7%).
The more international environment is at Carnegie Mellon (23.3% international students) than Kansas State (1.7%).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Kansas State awards them $5,729 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
On paper the cheaper option is Kansas State: $28,568 against $68,776, which is $40,208 less a year.
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 82% 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 $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 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 Kansas 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 82% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1150).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $57K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $68,776); Carnegie Mellon offers a larger average aid package ($60,909 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 82% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1150 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 3.81 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 15,432 |
| International students | 23.3% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 100% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Kansas State?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Kansas State accepts 82%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Kansas State graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Kansas State?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $28,568 per year at Kansas State.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Kansas State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1150 at Kansas State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Kansas State?
Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #501-600 for Kansas State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Kansas State?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $15,968 at Kansas State.
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