Duke vs Carnegie Mellon - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Duke admits 5.7% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon admits 11.7%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 23.3% (Carnegie Mellon) against 10.6% (Duke).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Duke awards them $90,599 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: Duke lists $92,955 against $88,670 (Carnegie Mellon), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $27,761.
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
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.71% vs 11.66% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #101-150). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $98K). Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $73,172 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 Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Carnegie Mellon for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 11.66% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1540).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $98K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 94.1%).
Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 11.66% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.89 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 33,941 |
| International students | 10.6% | 23.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $115K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $68,776 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Carnegie Mellon?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66%.
Do Duke or Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $98K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Carnegie Mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Carnegie Mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1540 at Carnegie Mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Carnegie Mellon?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Carnegie Mellon?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon.
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