Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert | Updated On - Sep 18, 2025
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a well-respected private research university with roughly 15,000 students. The admissions process is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 11%. CMU is highly regarded internationally, particularly for its programs in Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics, Business (Tepper), and the Arts. The graduation rate is also high at around 89–91% and graduates reported early career salaries of about INR 74–82 lakhs per year ($89,000–98,000).
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), also located in Pittsburgh, is a large public research university with about 28,000 students enrolled. The admissions process is selectively moderate with an acceptance rate of around 50%. Pitt’s flagship programs are Medicine, Public Health, Engineering, and Philosophy. The graduation rate is about 83–85% and graduates generally earn early career salary of around INR 42–48 lakhs annually ($50,000–57,000)
| Carnegie Mellon University | University of Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.4 Out of 10 | 6 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 52 QS World University 2026 # 24 Times Higher Education 2025 # 58 QS World University 2025 | # 281 QS World University 2026 # 84 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 141 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 7 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 2 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 49 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 79 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -58 PG Programs -57 Doctorate Programs -26 | UG Programs -91 PG Programs -47 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.0 % | 49.7 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-7.5 SAT-1430 TOEFL-102 | GMAT-580 IELTS-7 SAT-1260 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 54244 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 48500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15864 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 32656 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 40848 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15844 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Average salary of university graduates is 98,000 USD per annum; Annual ROI is 6.8%; Top employers are Amazon, IBM, Apple, etc. | Graduate employability rankings (2020)- #190-200 |
| application requirements | UG applicants must have at least grade B+ (3.69 GPA on 4.0). Interviews are conducted for many UG programs. | Submit short-question answers provided by the university. If you wish to apply for the Honors program submit Pitt Honors consideration. Submit self-reported academic records. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | College of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business | Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 reviews | 7.9/10 Read 6 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 18 for Business by US News 2025 # 26 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 56 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 46 for Business by US News 2025 # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 401 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 135/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary126250 | #Average Salary |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 30, 2025 (Application Deadline For Round 1 Intake) Jan 8, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 2 Intake) Mar 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 3 Intake) | Oct 15, 2025 (Early Advantage Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Scholarship Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Carnegie Mellon University | University of Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1900 | 1908 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1:1 | 14:1 |
| Male:Female | 54% Male, 46% Female | 49% Male, 51% Female |
| Location Facts | Main campus is located 5 km away from Downtown Pittsburgh; Over 12 degree-granting campuses are located in six continents including Qatar and Silicon Valley | The university is located in Oakland neighborhood. The campus is Schenley Plaza, Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Art, Carnegie Public Library, and Carnegie Music Hall. Carnegie Mellon and Carlow University and Carlow University. |
| Library | University has 5 libraries: Hunt Library, Roger Sorrells Engineering & Science Library, Mellon Institute Library, Posner Library and Qatar Library; Hunt Library is solely dedicated to the research of botany, horticulture and history of the plant sciences | Total collection comprises of Print books- 3,484,436. Ebooks- 1,748,499. Print journals- 108,837. E-journals- 280,450. The total collection engagement of university library systems is 9,977,452. Research repository of the library systems is 2,253,516. |
| Campus Life | Over 300 student organizations, activities and support services including Division of Student Affairs, Student Academic Success Center, Center for Diversity and Inclusion; Campus has an art store, bookstore, computer store, coffee shops, cafeterias and other dine options | You can indulge in various students organizations & clubs, fraternity & sorority life, intramural & recreation, The Pitt News (student-run), WPTS-FM (student-run radio station), and Pitt Arts when on-campus. LGBTQ, graduate and International students have their own communities to join. 25 locations on-campus offer a wide range of food delicacies. You can volunteer with the office of Pittserve. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $13784 #Off campus (with family) - $2080 | #Rooms - $10950 #Room & Board (including Meals) - $2447 |
| Famous Alumni | Over 20 Nobel laureates, 124 Emmy Award recipients, 10 Academy Award recipients, 47 Tony Award recipients, 2 winners of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology; Steven Bocho (ten times recipient of Emmy Award); Charles Geschke (Co-founder of Adobe Systems); Randy Pausch (author of The Last Lecture); Edgar Mitchell (astronaut) | Dan Marino (American footballer), Gene Kelly (actor), Mike Ditka (American footballer), Andrew W. Mellon (former US Secretary of Treasury), Fred Rogers (TV personality), Derrick Bell (lawyer), Rick Santorum (former member of US Senate), Ben Cardin (US Senator), Sean Miller (American basketball coach), Bill Peduto (mayor of Pittsburgh), etc. |
| Weather |
Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Pittsburgh
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is recognized worldwide as a top 50-60 university, with world-class strengths specifically in Computer Science; Engineering; Robotics; Business (Tepper School); and Arts. The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is typically regarded as being in the top 200-250 globally and has nationally and regionally recognized programs in Medicine; Nursing; Public Health; Engineering; and Business. CMU is internationally known for technology, engineering, and arts, whereas Pitt has strong regional/national recognition in health sciences and professional programs.
General Information
Founded in 1900, CMU is a private research-focused university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with approximately 15,000 students. CMU is recognized for its innovation culture, integration of STEM and business, and strong global reputation. Pitt, founded in 1787, is a public research university with approximately 28,000 students, noted for its large medical center, significant healthcare research, and ties to the local economy and community.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
CMU is quite selective and has around an 11% acceptance rate, although the acceptance rate is somewhat lower for Computer Science, Engineering, and Arts programs. Pitt has a moderately selective acceptance rate of around 50%, with substantially lower acceptance in Nursing, Medicine, and Engineering programs. CMU prioritizes students' demonstrated potential for academic excellence and innovation, while Pitt has a greater take on a larger student body who has demonstrated potential for strong professional programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both schools are classified as R1 research universities. CMU has strengths in computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, engineering, and business analytics. CMU has labs and research centers recognized around the world. Pitt is recognized for medical research, public health, bioengineering, and nursing, anchored by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). CMU has a leading reputation in the technology and applied sciences space globally, while Pitt has strong regional and national impact within the health and professional industry.
Cost & Financial Aid
For international tuition, CMU is in the average range of approximately $61,000-63,000 annually, while Pitt is in the range of $33,000-36,000. Cost of living is moderate, relative to coastal cities in the US, in Pittsburgh. CMU offers merit-based and need-based financial aid options for highly qualified students, while Pitt has competitive scholarships, especially for health and STEM-focused programs.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success
CMU recent graduates are heavily recruited by large and emerging technology companies, robotics, business analytics, engineering and the arts, and places all over the world; graduates leave CMU with high employment outcomes and placement rates in top organizations. Pitt graduates work each day in healthcare, entrepreneurship, research, business, and engineering, with existing networks to utilize, including the UPMC. Recent graduates from CMU will have flagship global opportunities related to technology and applied sciences and Pitt will position recent graduates in healthcare and applied sciences as professionals, along with many other opportunities.
