North Carolina vs Carnegie Mellon - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Carnegie Mellon: 11.7% against 15.3% (North Carolina).
The share of international students differs sharply: 23.3% (Carnegie Mellon) against 6.4% (North Carolina).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Carnegie Mellon lists $88,670 against $60,888 (North Carolina), but after average aid what remains is $27,761 against $40,183.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Carnegie Mellon: $115K against $72K.
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 15.34% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #101-150). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 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 North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Carnegie Mellon for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Carnegie Mellon is more selective (11.66% vs 15.34% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $72K); Carnegie Mellon has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.1% vs 91.2%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $68,776); Carnegie Mellon offers a larger average aid package ($60,909 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North Carolina | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 15.34% | 11.66% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.49 | 3.89 |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 33,941 |
| International students | 6.4% | 23.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $115K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $48K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $45,228 | $68,776 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North Carolina or Carnegie Mellon?
It's harder to get into Carnegie Mellon. North Carolina accepts 15.34% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66%.
Do North Carolina or Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North Carolina vs Carnegie Mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $45,228 per year at North Carolina and $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina or Carnegie Mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at North Carolina and 1540 at Carnegie Mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - North Carolina or Carnegie Mellon?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North Carolina vs #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid - North Carolina or Carnegie Mellon?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North Carolina and $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon.
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