Carnegie Mellon vs Northwestern
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
ACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PACatholic life on campusACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Northwestern UniversityEvanston, ILCatholic life on campus
At a glance
- Carnegie Mellon lists Mass every weekday; Northwestern lists Mass every weekday.
- Carnegie Mellon lists confession 13 times a week; Northwestern, 3 times a week.
- For families earning up to $30,000, Northwestern has the lower price after aid: $1,764 a year, against $9,097 at Carnegie Mellon.
- The average price after aid is lower at Northwestern: $29,167 a year, against $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon.
Catholic life
Faith or Catholic life grade
ACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Every weekday
Every weekday
Confession times
13 times a week
3 times a week
Eucharistic adoration
6 times a week
2 times a week
Campus ministry
2 listed
2 listed
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Evanston, IL
Setting
City
City
Students
15,596
23,203
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
12%
8%
Average SAT
1546
1533
ACT middle 50%
34–35
33–35
Graduation rate
94%
95%
First-year retention
98%
98%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$31,944
$29,167
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$9,097
$1,764
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$6,994
$6,099
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$14,468
$7,898
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$24,865
$18,282
Net price, over $110,000 income
$51,480
$48,777
Median debt
$21,750
$15,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$114,862
$89,363
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.