Kansas State vs Carnegie Mellon - 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 (#501-600 vs #101-150). 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 Kansas State for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Carnegie Mellon 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
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 | Kansas State | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 11.66% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | 3.89 |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 33,941 |
| International students | 1.7% | 23.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $115K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $68,776 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 77% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Carnegie Mellon?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66%.
Do Kansas State or Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Carnegie Mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Carnegie Mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1540 at Carnegie Mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Carnegie Mellon?
Carnegie Mellon ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Carnegie Mellon?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon.
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