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Carnegie Mellon University

Private

Pittsburgh, PA

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Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private mid-sized school with roughly 7,304 undergraduates. Carnegie Mellon University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 12%. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer Science, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $268,121/year. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate12%
SAT range1500–1570
ACT range34–35
Undergrads7,304
Yield (admits who enroll)44%
Next deadlineNov 2, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$83,654
4-year grad rate93%
Median earnings, 10yr out$114,862

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Carnegie Mellon University weighs your application

From Carnegie Mellon University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesVery important
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationImportant
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workVery important
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans34%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out91%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Architecture and Related Services
Architecture$73,439/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business Administration, Management and Operations$160,783/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$268,121/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General$187,437/yr
Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$250,168/yr
Chemical Engineering$110,378/yr
Engineering, General$110,208/yr
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$109,648/yr
Mechanical Engineering$105,623/yr
Civil Engineering$105,199/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$71,205/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$62,027/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Statistics$156,743/yr
Mathematics and Statistics, Other$145,741/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Cognitive Science$162,106/yr
Systems Science and Theory$146,929/yr
Physical Sciences
Materials Sciences$119,715/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$82,433/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$144,886/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$138,588/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$53,726/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$40,073/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity3,587
Typical room charge$10,000
Typical board charge$6,486

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Carnegie Mellon University look for in applicants?

Per Carnegie Mellon University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates volunteer work, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Carnegie Mellon University's acceptance rate?

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA admits approximately 12% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Carnegie Mellon University?

Admitted students at Carnegie Mellon University typically score between 1500–1570 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Carnegie Mellon University?

Admitted students at Carnegie Mellon University typically score between 34–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Carnegie Mellon University cost?

Carnegie Mellon University's total cost of attendance is reported at $83,654 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Carnegie Mellon University?

Carnegie Mellon University's earliest deadline is Nov 2, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Carnegie Mellon University require students to live on campus?

No -- Carnegie Mellon University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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