Carnegie Mellon vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The larger international cohort belongs to Carnegie Mellon: 23.3% of students against 9.4% (Washington University).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Washington University awards them $68,438 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: Washington University lists $94,289 against $88,670 (Carnegie Mellon), but after average aid what remains is $18,685 against $27,761.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Carnegie Mellon: $115K against $86K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 12.1% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #23). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $86K). Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $69,594 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 selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Washington University for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie Mellon is more selective (11.66% vs 12.1% acceptance).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $86K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 94.1%).
Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #24 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.66% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 45.7% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.89 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 33,941 | 32,754 |
| International students | 23.3% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 95% |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,776 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,909 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $31,298 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 16,676 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Carnegie Mellon or Washington University graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Carnegie Mellon vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Carnegie Mellon and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Carnegie Mellon or Washington University?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Carnegie Mellon or Washington University?
The average aid package is $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon and $75,604 at Washington University.
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