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Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · City · 7,304 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Nov 2 · Early Decision (binding) · in 22 days
Checked Sep 2026 · cmu.edu
$31,944
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
93%
Graduation rate
70% typical
$114,862
Earnings 10 years on
$63,395 typical
12%
Acceptance rate
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Carnegie Mellon University is a world-renowned private research institution celebrated for its powerhouse programs in computer science, robotics, engineering, business, and the dramatic arts. Distinctively bridging cutting-edge technology with creative innovation, the university uniquely houses both elite technical divisions like the School of Computer Science alongside prestigious conservatory training within the College of Fine Arts. Campus life is fast-paced, intensely collaborative, and populated by passionate problem-solvers, all tied together by beloved traditions like the annual student-engineered Buggy races and the continuous repainting of the historic campus Fence.

Wikipedia:Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The institution was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools. In 1912, it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology and began granting four-year degrees. In 1967, it became Carnegie Mellon University through its merger with the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, founded in 1913 by Andrew Mellon and Richard B. Mellon and formerly a part of the University of Pittsburgh.

Location
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-3890 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PIT · Pittsburgh
16 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$66,246
Housing & food (on campus)$18,166
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$83,654
Average net price$31,944
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$66,246
Housing & food (on campus)$18,166
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$83,654
Average net price$31,944
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$9,097
$30–48k
$6,994
$48–75k
$14,468
$75–110k
$24,865
$110k+
$51,480
Grants from the school
51% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $45,553
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$12,949
First-years who got one32
Source: Carnegie Mellon University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
93%
Within 4 yrs
81%
Back for yr 2
98%
Transferred
2%
Pell students: 91.7% · others: 94.6% 
8 yrs after starting
93% graduated · 3% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$105,360
10 yrs after entry$114,862
Debt
Median at graduation$21,750
Monthly payment$231
Middle 50% owe$14k–$30.8k
90th percentile$37,912
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
12%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1546
R 730–770 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
34
Comp 34–35 · E 33–36 · M 34–36
SAT middle 50%: 1500–1570
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 9.8% · women 14.7% 
Yield: 45.7% of admitted students enroll 
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 2 2026
binding in 22 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 4 2027
in 85 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · cmu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Carnegie Mellon University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Carnegie Mellon University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Carnegie Mellon University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 51%Women 49%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
5 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
10%
Family income
$91,372
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
2%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
8.9%
Out of state
68.3%
International
22.4%

Most out-of-state first-years from: CA 291 · NY 151 · NJ 141 · TX 91 · MA 62

Race & ethnicity
White
22%
Hispanic
10%
Black
4%
Asian
34%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
19%
Unknown
5%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$105,360
After 10 yrs
$114,862
Computer Science270
Statistics172
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering157
Business Administration, Management and Operations151
Systems Science and Theory118
Computer and Information Sciences, General111
Mechanical Engineering107
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft64
Economics55
Design and Applied Arts42
Chemical Engineering41
Biomedical/Medical Engineering36
Physics29
Music28
Mathematics27
Psychology, General27
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$3.2B
Full-time faculty
92%
Faculty salary
$13,972/mo
Teaching spend
$41,024
per student
Federal loans
34%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$505M research spending · 346 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Carnegie Mellon University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search