Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and CMU

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

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and CMU is a private (not-for-profit) 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 (1,220) than Penn State Behrend (1,220).
  • CMU has higher submitted ACT score (27) 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.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Carnegie Mellon University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$65,636
74%% Receiving Financial Aid48%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$47,608
96.83 %Acceptance Rates11.66 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)45.67 %
1,220SAT Score1,540
27ACT Score35
44 %Graduation Rate94 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate2 %
83 %Retention Rate98 %
3,336Student Population15,888
256Number of Faculties1,387
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio5 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services