Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) vs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Carnegie Mellon or MIT?“
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $50,665 | $46,704 |
| Net Price | $34,857 | $22,968 |
| Average Financial Aid | $35,978 | $41,198 |
| Total Undergraduates | 5964 | 4474 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1360 - 1540 | 1430 - 1580 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24 | 8 |
| Location | 5000 Forbes Avenue | 77 Massachusetts Avenue |
| City Name | Pittsburgh | Cambridge |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Pittsburgh and Cambridge. Carnegie Mellon is in a Mid-Atlantic and MIT is in a New England - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Carnegie Mellon Dorms Compare to housing Options at MIT?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Carnegie Mellon charges for on-campus living, while MIT charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Carnegie Mellon and MIT student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), % | MIT,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 31.71 | 36.57 |
| Hispanic | 8.1 | 15.24 |
| Black | 4.68 | 5.680000000000001 |
| Foreign | 17.84 | 9.75 |
| Others | 37.7 | 32.8 |
How different is the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) campus compared to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus?
The Carnegie Mellon campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more). The MIT campus is located in Cambridge, MA and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Carnegie Mellon provides $35,978 whereas MIT provides an average of $41,198.
How does Carnegie Mellon academics compare to MIT?
When analyzing academics between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Carnegie Mellon | MIT |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | 45 | 14 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | 6 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 168 | 342 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 351 | 462 |
| Education | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Carnegie Mellon and MIT. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Carnegie Mellon social life compare to MIT?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Carnegie Mellon social life differs from MIT.
Check here.
Check here.