College comparison

Carnegie Mellon vs UCLA

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA	UCLA Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance rateUniversity of California-Los Angeles is more selective	12%	9%
SAT (25–75)	1500–1570	—
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	7,304	33,475
Avg net price	$31,944	$12,548
Median earnings (10 yr)Carnegie Mellon reports higher median earnings	$114,862	$82,511
Graduation rate	94%	93%
Median debt	$21,750	$14,000
Economic mobility	2.2%	5.6%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Public

Quick answers

Is Carnegie Mellon University or University of California-Los Angeles harder to get into?

University of California-Los Angeles is more selective: Carnegie Mellon University's acceptance rate is approximately 12% and University of California-Los Angeles's is approximately 9% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University vs University of California-Los Angeles?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and — at University of California-Los Angeles. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.