Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 11.7%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 33,707
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 3,843
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,708
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 44%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 15%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 9.2%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 730–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 34–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 51% / 17%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- required
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $83,654
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $66,246
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $66,246
- Median debt at graduation
- $21,750
- Students with federal loans
- 34%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 94%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $88,268
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $114,862
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 7,304
- Graduate students
- 8,511
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 5 : 1
- Women
- 49%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 16%
- Full-time faculty
- 92%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Farnam Jahanian
- Main phone
- (412) 268-2000
- Address
- 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 2 | December 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 4 (December 1 for Drama and Musi | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Required
- Essays
- CMU writing supplement with 3 short-answer questions
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor evaluation + 1 teacher
Testing: Test flexible: SAT/ACT, AP, IB, A-Level accepted; SCS requires SAT/ACT; Fine Arts test optional
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Tuition-free for families under $75K; no federal loans in aid for families under $100K
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 20.6% (553 of 2,680)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 7,117 / 4,937 / 36
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: cmu.edu, cmu.edu, cmu.edu, cmu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.