Head-to-Head Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
- Carnegie Mellon Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 15
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Carnegie Mellon University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $31,944 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Carnegie Mellon University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Carnegie Mellon University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Carnegie Mellon
- Lower cost: Average net price of $31,944, roughly $7,601 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,750, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than Carnegie Mellon University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Carnegie Mellon graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). 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 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Carnegie Mellon University. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $114,862.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $31,944 vs $39,545.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 93% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Carnegie Mellon University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Carnegie Mellon University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Carnegie Mellon University is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,269.
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 $7,601 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Carnegie Mellon University also borrow less: median debt of $21,750, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,404 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, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $114,862 at Carnegie Mellon University. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Carnegie Mellon University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% 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.
Finishing the degree
Carnegie Mellon University graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 31% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Carnegie Mellon University to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Carnegie Mellon University saves about $7,601 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $10,695 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Carnegie Mellon University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Carnegie Mellon University's enrollment of 7,304 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's enrollment, and Carnegie Mellon University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 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
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.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Rankings They Appear On
Carnegie Mellon University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Carnegie Mellon's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Carnegie Mellon
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Carnegie Mellon) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Carnegie Mellon University is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Business & Marketing, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences. 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.
Carnegie Mellon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Carnegie Mellon University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Carnegie Mellon University is more affordable, with an average net price of $31,944 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $114,862 at Carnegie Mellon University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Carnegie Mellon University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 63%.
Should you choose Carnegie Mellon University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Carnegie Mellon University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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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