College Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs Northwestern 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
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
School
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Carnegie Mellon | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 11.4% | 7.1%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1500–1570wins | 1490–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 34–35wins | 33–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $63,829wins | $65,997 |
| Avg Net Price | $31,671 | $27,143wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $114,862wins | $89,363 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.5% | 95.9%wins |
| Retention Rate | 97.0% | 97.4%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 5:1wins | 6:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 7,187 | 8,960wins |
Verdict
Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern are remarkably similar across key metrics. Your decision should come down to campus culture, location, financial aid package, and specific program strength.
Carnegie Mellon Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $63,829
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $114,862
Northwestern Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 7.1%
- ✓Avg Net Price: $27,143
- ✓Graduation Rate: 95.9%
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.4%
Want a deeper comparison?
Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.