Northwestern vs Carnegie Mellon - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northwestern admits 7.7% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon admits 11.7%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Carnegie Mellon: 23.3% of students against 11.8% (Northwestern).
Carnegie Mellon reports no financial aid for international students, while Northwestern awards them $74,103 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Carnegie Mellon: $115K against $89K.
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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 11.66% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #101-150). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $89K). Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $70,589 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 Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Carnegie Mellon for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 11.66% acceptance).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $89K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 94.1%).
Carnegie Mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,776 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 11.66% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.89 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 33,941 |
| International students | 11.8% | 23.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $115K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $68,776 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66%.
Do Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Carnegie Mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1540 at Carnegie Mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon.
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