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College Comparison

UC Berkeley vs Carnegie Mellon University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

School

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC BerkeleyCarnegie Mellon
Acceptance Rate11.7%11.4%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1500–1570wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A34–35
Tuition (Out-of-State)$45,627wins$63,829
Avg Net Price$14,979wins$31,671
Median Earnings (10 yr)$92,446$114,862wins
Graduation Rate92.9%wins92.5%
Retention Rate96.8%97.0%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio18:15:1wins
Total Enrollment33,073wins7,187

Verdict

Based on the data above, Carnegie Mellon edges out UC Berkeley on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UC Berkeley Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,627
  • Avg Net Price: $14,979
  • Graduation Rate: 92.9%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,073

Carnegie Mellon Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 11.4%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $114,862
  • Retention Rate: 97.0%

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