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Pittsburgh , PA
Carnegie Mellon University, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a prestigious and globally recognized institution known for its excellence in education and research across various disciplines. Founded in 1900, Carnegie Mellon has emerged as a leading institution for technology, business, arts, and sciences. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through its seven schools and colleges, including the College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, and Tepper School of Business.
Carnegie Mellon prides itself on its commitment to interdisciplinary and applied research. The university is home to numerous research centers, institutes, and laboratories that foster innovation and collaboration among its faculty, students, and industry partners. Carnegie Mellon has achieved significant breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and computer science, with several of its faculty members and alumni receiving prestigious awards and recognition for their contributions to their respective fields.
Apart from its academic excellence, Carnegie Mellon offers a vibrant and diverse campus life. With over 300 student organizations and clubs, students have ample opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, expand their horizons, and connect with like-minded individuals. The university's close proximity to Pittsburgh, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and burgeoning technology industry, further enhances the student experience by providing opportunities for internships, workshops, and cultural exploration. Overall, Carnegie Mellon University is a dynamic institution that offers a well-rounded education, top-notch research opportunities, and a supportive community for students to thrive academically and personally.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA and set in an urban environment, Carnegie Mellon University is a private university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 11%. The freshman retention rate at Carnegie Mellon University is 98% and the six-year graduation rate is 94%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 1. The transfer application deadline is February 15.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Carnegie Mellon University.
Quick Facts
7,824
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$67,020
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
94%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Learn some relevant information about admission at Carnegie Mellon University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,959 in 2025. Carnegie Mellon University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an outstanding educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 52.6% and ACT scores 22.4%. 96.32% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 3.47% between 1,200 and 1,399, 0.11% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.11% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97.78, 2.22 between 24-29 and 0.35 in the range between 18-23.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.89. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is February 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Carnegie Mellon University was 98% in 2025, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 94%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University in 2025 was 16,676.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 86.4% for that year. There was a total of 7,824 undergraduate students, including 1,804 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 35.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 8,706 male and 6,663 female full-time students in 2025. 5,191 full-time graduate men and 3,259 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 2,524, while the number of African American students was 292. 731 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 393 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 410 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $67,020 in 2025. Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $1,076 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Carnegie Mellon University was $18,894 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $11,250, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,750.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 67,020 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,894 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 86,914 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Carnegie Mellon University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 649 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $60,909.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 2,881 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University isn't available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,988. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $10,753,366, and state $927,236. The students of Carnegie Mellon University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $152,561,532, and external in the amount of $1,900,192.
$14,422
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 2,440 students overall (including freshmen) at Carnegie Mellon University in 2025. 48 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,775,528. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,794,692 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Carnegie Mellon University was 6:1: that means 6 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 1,306 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 867 men and 439 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at Carnegie Mellon University.
It has a campus size of 153 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 413 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 13.7 and female students 12. Those who have a talent for music can join the Carnegie Mellon University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Carnegie Mellon University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Carnegie Mellon University has a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Carnegie Mellon University.
All in all, campus life at Carnegie Mellon University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Carnegie Mellon University.
Career Counselling
At Carnegie Mellon University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Carnegie Mellon University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Carnegie Mellon University is 67,020 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Carnegie Mellon University is 11%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Carnegie Mellon University is 98%.
Contact Information
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh , PA
15213-3891
412 268-2000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.