Penn vs Carnegie Mellon

Penn is harder to get into (4.9% vs 11% admitted), and students with aid paid less there on average: $29,577 vs $35,780 a year. For fall 2027, Penn needs the SAT or ACT; Carnegie Mellon requires scores from some applicants. Carnegie Mellon is due first, on Jan 4.

Highlighted = the better number: lower price or debt, higher rate or pay.

University of Pennsylvania Carnegie Mellon University

Getting in
Measure	University of Pennsylvania	Carnegie Mellon University
Admit rate	4.9%	11%
SAT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%)	1510–1570	1500–1560
ACT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%)	34–36	34–36
SAT or ACT for fall 2027	Required	Required for some
Next deadline	Regular decision: Jan 5	Regular decision: Jan 4

Cost
Measure	University of Pennsylvania	Carnegie Mellon University
Sticker price per year	$92,288	$86,759
Average paid after grants	$29,577	$35,780

What families with aid paid, by income
Measure	University of Pennsylvania	Carnegie Mellon University
Under $30,000	—	$14,468
$30,000–$48,000	$234	$4,293
$48,000–$75,000	$12,421	$17,816
$75,000–$110,000	$25,263	$24,455
Over $110,000	$61,455	$56,003

After you start
Measure	University of Pennsylvania	Carnegie Mellon University
Undergrads	10,650	7,304
Graduate within 6 years	97%	93%
Come back for year two	99%	98%
Median earnings 10 years after starting	$121,687	$125,257
Median debt at graduation	$15,000	$19,000

Highlighted only when the gap is at least 5%. "Average paid" is what students who got federal aid paid per year after grants, not a price quote. How we get our numbers

See Penn See Carnegie Mellon