Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

Carnegie Mellon University admitted 11.1% of applicants university-wide (3,859 of 34,867).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide11.1%3,85934,867
Early Decision (binding)20.6%5532,680
Men10.2%2,14021,054
Women12.6%1,62812,942

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 20.6%, vs 11.1% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Of 3,859 admitted students, 1,804 enrolled (46.7% yield).

Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

SAT (mid-50%)
1500–1560
ACT (mid-50%)
34–36
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.50–3.99

Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)

Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $92,194/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$67,020
Fees, housing, food, books & other$25,174
Sticker cost of attendance$92,194/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$9,097
$30k–48k$6,994
$48k–75k$14,468
$75k–110k$24,865
Over $110k$51,480

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Carnegie Merit Scholarship — $10,000–$18,000 per year (Merit)
  • Andrew Carnegie Scholarship — Half tuition (Merit)
  • Carnegie Mellon Grant — Varies (Need Based)
  • Carnegie Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
  • Dean's Scholarship — Varies (Merit)
  • Need-Based Financial Aid — Varies (Need Based)
  • Presidential Scholarship — Varies (Presidential)

International applicants

Some aid available for internationals.

  • Carnegie Merit Scholarship — $10,000–$18,000 per year (Merit)
  • Andrew Carnegie Scholarship — Half tuition (Merit)
  • Carnegie Mellon Grant — Varies (Need Based)
  • Carnegie Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
  • Dean's Scholarship — Varies (Merit)
  • Need-Based Financial Aid — Varies (Need Based)
  • Presidential Scholarship — Varies (Presidential)

Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application
  • High School Transcript
  • Counselor Recommendation
  • Teacher Recommendation
  • Test Scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Writing Supplement
  • Common Application Essay
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application
  • High School Transcript
  • Counselor Recommendation
  • Teacher Recommendation
  • Test Scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Writing Supplement
  • Common Application Essay
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Carnegie Mellon University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 3 college-specific supplements:

  1. Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study?<br>(300 word maximum)300 words · Required
  2. Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the <u>process of learning</u> during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience?<br>(300 word maximum)300 words · Required
  3. Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please).<br>(300 word maximum)300 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$114,862
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
94.1%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
96.6%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$21,750
At graduation

Carnegie Mellon University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #20
  • WSJ: #46
  • Forbes: #43
  • Niche: #15
  • QS: #52

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early Decision — Binding early round
  • 2027-01-01Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C21–C22 · 2025

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Engineering (23%), Computer & information sciences (18%), Mathematics & statistics (12%).

Student–faculty ratio: 6:1 · 68% of class sections have under 20 students.

Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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