Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Carnegie Mellon University
- Babson Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 16
- Carnegie Mellon Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Carnegie Mellon University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $31,944 vs Babson College's $40,514, Carnegie Mellon University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Carnegie Mellon University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $114,862 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Carnegie Mellon University
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Carnegie Mellon
- Lower cost: Average net price of $31,944, roughly $8,570 a year less
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Carnegie Mellon in Engineering (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Carnegie Mellon University. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $114,862.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over Babson College. Net price $31,944 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over Carnegie Mellon University. 2.8% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Carnegie Mellon University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Carnegie Mellon University is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Babson College takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,546.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Carnegie Mellon University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Carnegie Mellon University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $31,944, about $8,570 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Babson College also borrow less: median debt of $20,000, against $21,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $34,280 before any change in aid. Choosing Carnegie Mellon University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $114,862 at Carnegie Mellon University. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Carnegie Mellon University, it is 2.2%. Carnegie Mellon University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Carnegie Mellon University to keep costs and debt down; pick Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Carnegie Mellon University saves about $8,570 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $9,076 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but Babson College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Carnegie Mellon University leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,514 runs well above Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Babson College's enrollment, and Carnegie Mellon University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Carnegie Mellon University has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Carnegie Mellon University's enrollment of 7,304 far exceeds Babson College's 2,728.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Carnegie Mellon holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 39% at Babson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Babson (27.5% Early Decision admit rate vs 20.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Carnegie Mellon University is a great fit for students who are ready to dive into rigorous academic programs. This school attracts those passionate about fields like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. The blend of technical and creative disciplines, including Visual and Performing Arts, creates a unique environment where students can thrive while exploring their varied interests.
Life after graduation at Carnegie Mellon looks promising. Graduates can expect to earn an impressive average of $114,862 within ten years of completing their degrees. This strong earning potential is crucial for students weighing their options, as it reflects the value of the education they receive here. With a graduation rate of 93%, it’s clear that students are not only getting in but are also navigating their studies successfully.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is around $31,944, which can feel daunting but is manageable compared to potential earnings. The median debt for graduates stands at $21,750, suggesting that many students are able to graduate with a reasonable level of debt. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are dedicated, ambitious, and ready to engage deeply with their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College and Carnegie Mellon University appear together in 10 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Babson College ranks #1 — Babson College outranks Carnegie Mellon University by 2 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Carnegie Mellon leads with Mechanical Engineering (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Carnegie Mellon).
The two schools feed different job markets. while Carnegie Mellon University concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Carnegie Mellon University?
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 17% at Babson College.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Carnegie Mellon University?
Carnegie Mellon University is more affordable, with an average net price of $31,944 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $114,862 at Carnegie Mellon University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Carnegie Mellon University?
Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Babson College vs Carnegie Mellon University: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose Babson College or Carnegie Mellon University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Carnegie Mellon University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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