Carnegie Mellon University vs Emory University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Emory University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Carnegie Mellon University
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Emory University
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Carnegie Mellon University
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
11.4%
11.1%
Avg SAT Score
1,545
1,507
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1500 – 1570
1460 – 1550
Avg ACT Score
34
33
ACT Range (25th–75th)
34 – 35
32 – 34
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$31,671
$23,911
Tuition (In-State)
$63,829
$60,774
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$63,829
$60,774
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
15.2%
18.2%
Federal Loan Rate
35.5%
11.2%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$114,862
$80,137
Graduation Rate
92.0%
90.9%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
97.0%
96.2%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
7,187
7,275
Undergrad Enrollment
7,497
7,606
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Carnegie Mellon University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

Emory University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Emory University is more selective with a 11.1% acceptance rate compared to Carnegie Mellon University's 11.4%. Average SAT scores are 1545 and 1507 respectively.

Cost: Emory University offers a lower average net price at $23,911, which is $7,760 less than Carnegie Mellon University ($31,671). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median salary of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, which is $34,725 more than Emory University graduates ($80,137).

Graduation: Carnegie Mellon University leads with a 92.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 97.0% vs 96.2%.

Campus Size: Emory University is the larger campus with 7,275 total students, while Carnegie Mellon University has 7,187.

Bottom Line: Emory University wins on affordability while Carnegie Mellon University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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