Carnegie Mellon vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Stanford: 3.8% against 11.7% (Carnegie Mellon).
The share of international students differs sharply: 23.3% (Carnegie Mellon) against 13.1% (Stanford).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Stanford awards them $85,424 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $88,670 (Carnegie Mellon), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $27,761.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 11.66% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $115K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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 graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 11.66% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1540).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $115K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 91.9%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $68,776); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 60,646 |
| International students | 23.3% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $115K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Stanford?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $77,279 at Stanford.
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