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Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Florida

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

11.0% CMU acceptance
23.0% UF acceptance
$156,248 UF cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

CMU
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
Founded
1900
Enrollment
16,016
Setting
Urban
UF
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Founded
1853
Enrollment
55,211
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $33,602
CMU
$62,260
UF
$28,658
Acceptance Rate CMU more selective
CMU
11.0%
UF
23.0%
Graduation Rate CMU higher
CMU
93%
UF
90%
Avg SAT Score CMU higher
CMU
1530
UF
1390
Starting Salary CMU higher
CMU
$97,200
UF
$64,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric CMU UF Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,260$28,658UF
Tuition (In-State)$62,260$6,380UF
Room & Board$17,110$11,650UF
Acceptance Rate11.0%23.0%CMU
Graduation Rate93%90%CMU
Average SAT15301390CMU
Student-Faculty Ratio5:117:1CMU
Enrollment16,01655,211-
Avg Financial Aid$40,970$12,860CMU
Starting Salary$97,200$64,200CMU
Endowment$11.8B$2.7BCMU
Campus Size155 acres2,000 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

CMU
$317,480
4-year total (private)
VS
UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: CMU = $153,600 | UF = $109,792. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

CMU Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBusinessInformation SystemsMathematics

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
CMUUrban
UFSuburban
Campus Size
CMU155 ac
UF2,000 ac
Athletics
CMUNCAA D3
UFNCAA D1
Region
CMUNortheast
UFSouth
Founded
CMU1900
UF1853
Enrollment
CMU16,016
UF55,211

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is CMU or UF harder to get into?+
CMU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 11.0% compared to 23.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, CMU or UF?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $317,480). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. CMU offers an average of $40,970/year in aid while UF offers $12,860/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for CMU and UF?+
The average SAT score at CMU is 1530 and at UF it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do CMU or UF graduates earn more?+
Graduates of CMU have a higher average starting salary ($97,200 vs $64,200). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
CMU has a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UF has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do CMU and UF compare for campus life?+
CMU is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (urban setting) with a 155-acre campus. UF is in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with 2,000 acres. CMU competes in NCAA D3 athletics and UF in NCAA D1.