University of Pennsylvania vs Carnegie Mellon University: which has better ROI?
University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,796 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Carnegie Mellon University, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $114,862 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pennsylvania | Carnegie Mellon University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,699 | $31,944 |
| Total net cost | $114,796 | $127,776 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $111,371 | $114,862 |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $21,750 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,145,424 | $1,202,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Carnegie Mellon University?
University of Pennsylvania, at $28,699 a year after aid versus $31,944 — a gap of $3,245 a year, or $12,980 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Pennsylvania or Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates report a median $114,862 ten years after entry, $3,491 more than the $111,371 at University of Pennsylvania. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Pennsylvania or Carnegie Mellon University?
University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $15,715 in federal loans versus $21,750 at Carnegie Mellon University, a difference of $6,035. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
97% of students finish at University of Pennsylvania, against 94% at Carnegie Mellon University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.