Princeton vs Carnegie Mellon - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Princeton admits 4.4% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon admits 11.7%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 23.3% (Carnegie Mellon) against 13.1% (Princeton).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Princeton reports aid for international students ($86,736 on average), Carnegie Mellon does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $88,670 and ends at $16,304 against $27,761 (Carnegie Mellon).
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 11.66% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #101-150). Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $110K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Carnegie Mellon for: higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 11.66% acceptance); Carnegie Mellon has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1530).
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($115K vs $110K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.1%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,776); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $60,909).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | #24 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 11.66% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 45.7% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.89 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 33,941 |
| International students | 13.1% | 23.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $115K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 98% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $21,750 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $68,776 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $60,909 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $31,298 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 16,676 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Carnegie Mellon?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon accepts 11.66%.
Do Princeton or Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $115K vs $110K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Carnegie Mellon?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $68,776 per year at Carnegie Mellon.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Carnegie Mellon?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1540 at Carnegie Mellon; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Carnegie Mellon?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #101-150 for Carnegie Mellon.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Carnegie Mellon?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $60,909 at Carnegie Mellon.
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