Penn vs Carnegie mellon — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 11.7% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #101-150). Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $111K). Carnegie mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,246 vs $68,686 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 Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 11.7% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1546).
Carnegie mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $111K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 94.1%).
Carnegie mellon has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,246 vs $68,686); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Carnegie mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 11.7% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1546 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 33,941 |
| International students | 24% | 46% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $115K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $103K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $68,686 | $66,246 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Carnegie mellon?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Carnegie mellon accepts 11.7%.
Do Penn or Carnegie mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $111K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Carnegie mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,686 per year at Penn and $66,246 per year at Carnegie mellon.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Carnegie mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1546 at Carnegie mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Penn or Carnegie mellon?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #101-150 for Carnegie mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid — Penn or Carnegie mellon?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $60,909 at Carnegie mellon.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina