Academic Comparison between CMU and Penn State Behrend

Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. CMU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Pittsburgh, PA and Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA.

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

CMU is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Behrend is a public school and both are four-year schools.
CMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,636) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
It is harder to admit to CMU than Penn State Behrend.
CMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,540) than Penn State Behrend (1,220).
CMU has higher submitted ACT score (35) than Penn State Behrend (27).
CMU has more students with 15,888 students while Penn State Behrend has 3,336 students.
CMU has a lower number of students per faculty with 5 to 1 while Penn State Behrend's ratio is 12 to 1.
CMU has more full-time faculties with 1,387 faculties while Penn State Behrend has 256 full-time faculties.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Carnegie Mellon University	vs.	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Location	Erie, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)	School Type	four-year, Public
Doctor's degree	Highest Degree Offered	Master's degree
Research University (very high research activity)	Carnegie Classification
$65,636	2025 Tuition & Fees	In-State$15,972 Out-Of-State$26,958
48%	% Receiving Financial Aid	74%
$47,608	Average Amount of Financial Aid	$11,249

11.66 %	Acceptance Rates	96.83 %
45.67 %	Yield (Enrollment Rates)	14.52 %
1,540	SAT Score	1,220
35	ACT Score	27
94 %	Graduation Rate	44 %
2 %	Transfer-out Rate	24 %
98 %	Retention Rate	83 %
15,888	Student Population	3,336
1,387	Number of Faculties	256
5 to 1	Students to Faculty Ratio	12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification	Special Learning Opportunities	Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services	On Campus Student Services	Academic/career counseling service, Employment services