Carnegie Mellon vs Rhode Island - 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, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Carnegie Mellon (23.3% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Rhode Island reports aid for international students ($26,565 on average), Carnegie Mellon does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Carnegie Mellon starts at $88,670 against $54,758 and ends at $27,761 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
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 72.2% acceptance). Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #801-900). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie Mellon is more selective (11.66% vs 72.2% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1160).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $70K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,776); Carnegie Mellon offers a larger average aid package ($60,909 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 28,021 |
| International students | 23.3% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 85% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | $75 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Rhode Island?
Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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