Clarkson University vs Carnegie Mellon
Clarkson University and Carnegie Mellon University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clarkson, nestled in the scenic town of Potsdam, New York, boasts a close-knit community and a strong focus on engineering, business, and health sciences. Carnegie Mellon, located in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is renowned for its cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary programs, and strengths in computer science, engineering, and the arts. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different academic interests and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your unique goals and preferences.
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![]() Carnegie Mellon University |
![]() Clarkson University |
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Overview |
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Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Potsdam, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 13.5% | 74.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1480 - 1560 | 1180 - 1380 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 25 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 51.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 32,896 | 7,011 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,453 | 5,229 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,896 | 740 |
Yield rate | 42.6% | 14.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,664 | $74,716 |
Average net price | $37,450 | $31,413 |
Tuition | $57,560 | $53,100 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,614
Meal plan:
$6,536
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Room/dormitory:
$8,726
Meal plan:
$7,518
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $39,421 |
100.0%
Average amount $38,981 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $4,672 |
71.0%
Average amount $5,323 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $29,079 |
16.0%
Average amount $16,547 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,932
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
2,852
Men 69.3% Women 30.7% |
Graduate students |
8,125
Men 62.3% Women 37.7% |
1,101
Men 55.4% Women 44.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 85.0% | 34.8% |
International students | 40.0% | 8.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 3,754 | 2,482 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Virginia | New York Mississippi Connecticut Vermont New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 5:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.8% | 75.6% |
Dropout rate | 3.5% | 7.1% |
Transferred out | 2.8% | 17.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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