College Comparison
USC 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
USC
Los Angeles, CA
School
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | USC | Carnegie Mellon |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 10.0%wins | 11.4% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1440–1550 | 1500–1570wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 32–35 | 34–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $68,237 | $63,829wins |
| Avg Net Price | $31,927 | $31,671wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,498 | $114,862wins |
| Graduation Rate | 92.0% | 92.5%wins |
| Retention Rate | 96.5% | 97.0%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 5:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 20,817wins | 7,187 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Carnegie Mellon edges out USC on 8 of 10 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.
USC Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 10.0%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 20,817
Carnegie Mellon Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $63,829
- ✓Avg Net Price: $31,671
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