Head-to-Head Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs Stevens Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 13
- Stevens Technology Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Carnegie Mellon University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $31,944 vs Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Carnegie Mellon
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Stevens Institute of Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $31,944, roughly $9,402 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
Stevens Technology
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 4.3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Carnegie Mellon graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Stevens Technology in Engineering (45%). 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 Carnegie Mellon University over Stevens Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment vs $108,772.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over Stevens Institute of Technology. Net price $31,944 vs $41,346.
Pick Stevens Institute of Technology over Carnegie Mellon University. 4.3% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over Stevens Institute of Technology. 93% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Carnegie Mellon University and Stevens Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Carnegie Mellon University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Stevens Institute of Technology takes 48%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,446.
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 $9,402 a year below Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346. Graduates of Carnegie Mellon University also borrow less: median debt of $21,750, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,608 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, Carnegie Mellon University graduates report median earnings of $114,862, compared with $108,772 at Stevens Institute of Technology. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Carnegie Mellon University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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.
Moving people up
Stevens Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 4.3%; at Carnegie Mellon University, it is 2.2%. Stevens Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Stevens Institute of Technology 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 Stevens Institute of Technology if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but Stevens Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 4.3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Carnegie Mellon University concentrates enrollment in Mathematics & Statistics, while Stevens Institute of Technology leans toward Business & Marketing. 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 Stevens Institute of Technology's 4,222.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,346 runs well above Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $21,750 at Carnegie Mellon University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Carnegie Mellon holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Stevens Technology — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Carnegie Mellon offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Stevens Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
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.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofit
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, is a great fit for students who are driven by a passion for technology and innovation. With 4,222 enrolled students and an acceptance rate of 48%, it attracts individuals looking for a solid education in fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and the Arts. One standout aspect is the school's high graduation rate of 88%, which speaks volumes about student support and engagement throughout their academic journey.
After graduation, students from Stevens can expect impressive earning potential, with an average salary of $108,772 within ten years of completing their degree. This financial success reflects the value of a degree from Stevens, especially in high-demand areas like engineering and tech. The cost of attendance can be manageable, particularly when considering the school’s financial aid options, though it's important to weigh the net price against potential earnings.
When looking at the practical aspects of attending Stevens, the net price after aid stands at $41,346, which means students should prepare for a significant investment. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $27,000. The environment here tends to be ideal for those who are eager to engage with their studies and are committed to making the most of their college experience. This is a community that thrives on ambition and collaboration, setting students up for success both during and after their time at Stevens.
Rankings They Appear On
Carnegie Mellon University and Stevens Institute of Technology appear together in 3 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual, Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 — Carnegie Mellon University outranks Stevens Institute of Technology by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Carnegie Mellon's student body and 45% of Stevens Technology's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Carnegie Mellon) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Stevens Technology).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon University or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 48% at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Carnegie Mellon University or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Carnegie Mellon University is more affordable, with an average net price of $31,944 after aid versus $41,346 at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more: median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, versus $108,772 at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Carnegie Mellon University or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Carnegie Mellon University vs Stevens Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Stevens Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 4.3% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose Carnegie Mellon University or Stevens Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Carnegie Mellon University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Stevens Institute of Technology if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Carnegie Mellon and Stevens Technology stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
