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Carnegie Mellon University vs Washington University in St. Louis

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate11.1%11.9%
Early decision rate20.6%27%
SAT middle 50%1500–15601500–1550
ACT middle 50%34–3633–35
Applicant reports on our site755662

Cost and aid

Tuition$69,702$71,310
Food and housing$19,560$24,272
Sticker price per year$91,124$96,994
Average need-based grant$61,136$75,880
Average % of need met100%100%

Outcomes

First-year retention96.6%95%
6-year graduation rate94.3%93%
Undergraduates7,7288,153

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

Carnegie Mellon University or Washington University in St. Louis?

Is Carnegie Mellon University harder to get into than Washington University in St. Louis?

They are about equally selective: Carnegie Mellon University admitted 11.1% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and Washington University in St. Louis admitted 11.9% (2025-26).

What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and Washington University in St. Louis students have?

The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1500–1560 at Carnegie Mellon University and 1500–1550 at Washington University in St. Louis.

Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Washington University in St. Louis?

Before aid, Carnegie Mellon University costs about $91,124 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $96,994 at Washington University in St. Louis (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $61,136 at Carnegie Mellon University and $75,880 at Washington University in St. Louis.

Does Carnegie Mellon University or Washington University in St. Louis have a higher graduation rate?

94.3% of Carnegie Mellon University students graduate within six years, compared with 93% at Washington University in St. Louis.

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