Is Carnegie Mellon or Princeton harder to get into?

Princeton is generally harder to get into for undergraduate admission overall because it has an exceptionally small entering class and is highly selective across every academic interest. Carnegie Mellon is also extremely selective, but its difficulty varies much more by college and program.

Carnegie Mellon is especially challenging for applicants to its School of Computer Science, and some technical, design, drama, and business programs can be extraordinarily competitive as well. For an applicant whose profile is deeply focused on computer science, robotics, programming, design, or the arts, admission to the relevant CMU school may be comparable in difficulty to Princeton and can feel even less predictable because programs have distinct capacities and expectations.

Apply to Princeton with a compelling record that shows breadth and depth; approach CMU with clear evidence that your preparation and interests match the particular school or program you select.