Head-to-head · 2026
California Institute of Technology vs Carnegie Mellon University
Compare average net price ($16,075 at California Institute of Technology; $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University), ROI score (19.99 vs 8.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($128,566 vs $114,862), and admissions selectivity (2.6% acceptance at California Institute of Technology; 11.7% at Carnegie Mellon University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | California Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 19.99 ✓ | 8.99 |
| Avg net price | $16,075 ✓ | $31,944 |
| 4-year avg net price | $64,300 ✓ | $127,776 |
| In-state tuition | $65,898 | $66,246 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $65,898 | $66,246 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $128,566 ✓ | $114,862 |
| Acceptance rate | 2.6% | 11.7% |
| Graduation rate | 94.4% ✓ | 94.1% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 98% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $21,750 |
| Enrollment | 987 | 7,304 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1546 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | California Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$2,133 ✓ | $9,097 |
| Family income $30–48k | -$2,886 ✓ | $6,994 |
| Family income $48–75k | $431 ✓ | $14,468 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,753 ✓ | $24,865 |
| Family income $110k+ | $54,157 | $51,480 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | California Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 13.9% | 7% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 7.5% | 10.3% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| Physics | 10.7% | 1.1% |
| Chemistry | 8.6% | 0.9% |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 4.6% | 2.6% |
| Chemical Engineering | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 4.3% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
California Institute of Technology reports the lower average net price by $15,869 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $63,476 difference over four years ($64,300 vs $127,776).
California Institute of Technology reports $13,704 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($128,566 vs $114,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 97.4% at California Institute of Technology and 98% at Carnegie Mellon University. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
California Institute of Technology vs Carnegie Mellon University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
California Institute of Technology is cheaper — average net price $16,075 per year vs $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. The annual difference of $15,869 adds up to about $63,476 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
California Institute of Technology reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $128,566 vs $114,862 at Carnegie Mellon University. The gap in the federal data is $13,704. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
California Institute of Technology is more selective at 2.6% acceptance vs 11.7% at Carnegie Mellon University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.