Carnegie Mellon vs UC Berkeley
How Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley stack up on the numbers that decide where you apply: selectivity, cost after aid, testing, and essays.
| Carnegie Mellon | UC Berkeley | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 11.6% |
| SAT (middle 50%) | 1510-1570 | Not reported |
| Testing policy | flexible | Test-blind |
| Type | Private | Public |
| Location | PA | CA |
| Sticker price (per year) | $85,990 | $38,000 |
| Average cost after aid | $39,000 | $17,000 |
| Supplemental essays | 3 | 4 |
- Carnegie Mellon is harder to get into than UC Berkeley (11% versus 11.6%), so treat it as the bigger reach.
- After aid, UC Berkeley is usually the cheaper option ($17,000 versus $39,000 per year on average).
- On testing, Carnegie Mellon sets its own testing policy while UC Berkeley is test-blind.
- UC Berkeley asks for more supplemental writing (4 essays versus 3), so budget more time for its application.
- Run the free chances calculator to see your real odds at both, then get a free read on each school's essays.
Carnegie Mellon vs UC Berkeley FAQ
Is Carnegie Mellon or UC Berkeley harder to get into?
Carnegie Mellon is harder to get into, admitting about 11% of applicants versus 11.6% at UC Berkeley.
Is Carnegie Mellon or UC Berkeley cheaper?
After financial aid, UC Berkeley is usually cheaper, about $17,000 per year on average versus $39,000 at Carnegie Mellon.
See your real chances at Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley.
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