Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Virginia

CMU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 11.0% compared to 16.3%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.

At sticker price, UVA costs less over 4 years ($280,784 vs $317,480). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. CMU offers an average of $40,970/year in aid while UVA offers $21,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at CMU is 1530 and at UVA it is 1440. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.

Graduates of CMU have a higher average starting salary ($97,200 vs $71,500). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.

CMU has a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UVA has 15:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.

CMU is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (urban setting) with a 155-acre campus. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with 1,682 acres. CMU competes in NCAA D3 athletics and UVA in NCAA D1.