Cornell University Or Carnegie Mellon University; Cornell University is a private research, degree-granting institution based in Ithaca, New York offering superb university education for undergraduates, graduate students, and professional students. Carnegie Mellon University is a private research, degree-granting institution based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offering world-class, interdisciplinary university education to students from all over the world.

Where should you go for your college education? Cornell University or Carnegie Mellon University? The answer to the question is a very simple one. You can arrive at your answer just by critically assessing yourself. Ask yourself: what is your dream job, what career path do you want for yourself, which of the cities would you get the best study experience from, and does Cornell University or Carnegie Mellon University offer full financial aid. For example, let’s say a pre-college student is interested in an interdisciplinary program and wants to study in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That ticks quite several boxes for Carnegie Mellon University. It is therefore common sense for such a student to consider attending Carnegie Mellon University over Cornell University.
Cost of Attendance for Cornell University
At Cornell University, there are two broad costs of attendance – average cost before aid and average cost after aid. In the 2018/2019 academic year, the average cost before aid is $78,992 and the average cost after aid is $40,126. The aid includes grants and scholarships from the federal government, state, and institutions.
Cost of Attendance for Carnegie Mellon University
At Carnegie Mellon University, there are two broad costs of attendance – average cost before aid and average cost after aid. In the 2018/2019 academic year, the average cost before aid is $76,760 and the average cost after aid is $34,508. The aid includes grants and scholarships from the federal government, state, and institutions.
Programs Offered at Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the private Ivy League institutions of higher learning. The following are common programs offered by Cornell University:
- Computer and information sciences: this is the study of computing and informatics
- Computer science: this is a field that studies computers and computing
- Comparative literature: it is an academic field that deals with the study of literature across different languages
- Physics: it is a natural science field that studies matter concerning energy and force
- Hotel/motel administration/management: is a program dealing with the studies of managing hotel, motel, and resort operations
- Biometry/biometrics
- Civil engineering
- Art history, criticism, and conservation
- Biology/biological sciences
- Chemical engineering
- Gay/lesbian studies
- French language and literature
- Mathematics
- Electrical and electronics engineering
- German studies
- Science, technology, and society
- Music
- Landscape architecture
- Astrophysics
- International public health/international health
Programs Offered at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research college and was formed from a merger of the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. The programs offered by Carnegie Mellon are a blend of what was offered by its merger institutions. The following are common programs offered by Carnegie Mellon University.
- Mathematics and statistics: is an interdisciplinary program that applies the principles of mathematics in statistics
- Mechatronics, robotics, and automation engineering: is an interdisciplinary engineering program that uses principles in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering, and computer engineering in the building and management of robots and other machines
- Chinese language and literature
- Mechanical engineering
- Bioengineering and biomedical engineering
- Physics
- Psychology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Neuroscience
- Political science and government
- Business administration and management
- Applied economics
- Econometrics and quantitative economics
- English language and literature
- Spanish language and literature
- Materials science
- Information technology
- Computer science
- Fine and studio arts management
Admission Requirements of Cornell University
According to the US Department of Education, Cornell University typically accepts SAT scores in the range of 1400-1540 (SAT Reading and Writing: 680-750, SAT Math: 720-790) and ACT Composites in the range of 32-35.
Admission Requirements of Carnegie Mellon University
According to the US Department of Education, Carnegie Mellon University typically accepts SAT scores in the range of 1460-1560 (SAT Reading and Writing: 700-760, SAT Math: 760-800) and ACT Composites in the range of 33-35.
Rankings of Cornell University
Cornell University is ranked consistently high amongst notable educational ranking websites. Cornell University was ranked #4 in the Top 200 Universities in the World ranking by 4icu.org, #13 in the 2020-21 World University Rankings of cwur.org, #19 in the World University Rankings 2021 by timeshighereducation.org, #5 in the Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate ranking by oedb.org and #1 in the Best Schools for Human Resources Management in the United States ranking by bestcollegereviews.org.
Rankings of Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is ranked averagely high amongst notable educational ranking websites. Carnegie Mellon University was ranked #21 in the Top 200 Universities in the World ranking by 4icu.org, #40 in the 2021-22 Academic Ranking of World Universities by shangairanking.org, #28 in the World University Rankings 2022 by timeshighereducation.org, #49 in the Forbes Magazine’s List of America’s Best Colleges ranking by forbes.com and #51 in the QS World University Rankings by topuniversities.com.
Career Prospects for Graduates of Cornell University
According to LinkedIn, the following are the common career prospects for graduates of the Cornell University
- Engineering
- Education
- Research
- Business development
- Operations
Career Prospects for Graduates of Carnegie Mellon University
According to LinkedIn, the following are the top 5 common career prospects for graduates of Carnegie Mellon University are
- Business development
- Education
- Research
- Computers and information technology
- Engineering
Conclusion
- Cornell University offers programs of study for professional students
- Carnegie Mellon University offers interdisciplinary university education
- Both universities have similar costs of attendance
- Cornell University is ranked higher than Carnegie Mellon University by major university ranking sites
Frequently Asked Questions
- I want to study Computer science, should I attend Cornell or Carnegie Mellon?
You are advised to attend Carnegie Mellon. There are diverse computing programs available at Carnegie Mellon and computers and IT is one of the top 5 career paths of Carnegie Mellon Graduates
2. Does Cornell University admit international students?
Yes, Cornell University admits international students. 10% of 14,976 enrolled undergraduate students in 2018-19 were international students