Head-to-Head Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs Wellesley College
- Carnegie Mellon Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 14
- Wellesley Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Wellesley College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Carnegie Mellon University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $31,944 compared to Wellesley College's $25,496 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Wellesley College'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, 35% more than Wellesley College
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Wellesley
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,496, roughly $6,448 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, 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); Wellesley in Social Sciences (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 Carnegie Mellon University over Wellesley College. Median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Wellesley College over Carnegie Mellon University. Net price $25,496 vs $31,944.
Pick Wellesley College over Carnegie Mellon University. 2.4% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Carnegie Mellon University and Wellesley College 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 Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,520.
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, Wellesley College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,496, about $6,448 a year below Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $21,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,792 before any change in aid. Choosing Wellesley College 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 $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 35% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 35% 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
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Carnegie Mellon University, it is 2.2%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College to keep costs and debt down; pick Carnegie Mellon University 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. Wellesley College saves about $6,448 a year, yet Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn $30,059 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 Wellesley College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.4%. 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 Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while Wellesley College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $31,944 runs well above Wellesley College's $25,496.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,750, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Carnegie Mellon University's enrollment of 7,304 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Engineering-focused students: Carnegie Mellon University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Carnegie Mellon holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Wellesley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Wellesley (29.4% 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
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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
Rankings They Appear On
Carnegie Mellon University and Wellesley College appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual, Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 — Carnegie Mellon University outranks Wellesley College by 14 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Carnegie Mellon's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
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 Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Carnegie Mellon University is strongest in Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Business & Marketing, while Wellesley College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Carnegie Mellon University or Wellesley College?
Carnegie Mellon University is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Carnegie Mellon University or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,496 after aid versus $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more: median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Carnegie Mellon University or Wellesley College?
Carnegie Mellon University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 91%.
Carnegie Mellon University vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose Carnegie Mellon University or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Wellesley College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Carnegie Mellon University 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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