Washington University in St Louis vs Carnegie Mellon University

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

Admissions: Carnegie Mellon University is more selective with a 11.4% acceptance rate compared to Washington University in St Louis's 12.0%. Average SAT scores are 1530 and 1545 respectively.

Cost: Washington University in St Louis offers a lower average net price at $22,117, which is $9,554 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 $28,680 more than Washington University in St Louis graduates ($86,182).

Graduation: Washington University in St Louis leads with a 94.1% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 95.9% vs 97.0%.

Campus Size: Washington University in St Louis is the larger campus with 7,897 total students, while Carnegie Mellon University has 7,187.

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