Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh's research university where the No. 1 undergraduate computer science program sits beside a conservatory-level drama school.
- Acceptance rate
- 11%
- First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
- Students
- 16,582
- 7,728 undergraduates
- International
- 22%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $69,702
- 2026-27
About CMU
Carnegie Mellon was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools and took its current name in 1967 when it merged with the Mellon Institute. Today it has 16,582 students, 7,728 of them undergraduates, on a 157-acre campus next to Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.
CMU is best known for computing. U.S. News' 2027 edition ranks its undergraduate computer science No. 1, along with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering and computer engineering. Its School of Drama and School of Music are serious conservatories too, and the university counts 21 Nobel laureates among its faculty and alumni. Undergraduates apply directly to one of its colleges: Engineering, Fine Arts, Dietrich (humanities and social sciences), Mellon College of Science, Computer Science, Tepper (business) or Heinz College's Information Systems program.
The culture is intense and hands-on. Interdisciplinary programs such as BXA and IDeATe let you combine technical and creative work. It suits self-directed students who like building things and don't mind a heavy workload.
My heart is in the work
University motto
Why students choose CMU
The School of Computer Science holds the No. 1 undergraduate ranking in U.S. News' 2027 edition and runs its own Robotics Institute, Machine Learning Department and Language Technologies Institute.
The BXA intercollege degrees let you formally combine fine arts with computer science, engineering, the humanities or science.
91% of the class of 2025 were employed or continuing their education within six months, with an average starting salary of $116,882.
Families earning under $75,000 a year pay no tuition, and CMU meets 100% of demonstrated need for domestic students.
Admissions
First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
About 1 in 9 applicants is admitted
3,859 admitted from 34,867 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
You apply to one college or school, and selectivity varies widely between them. Early Decision admitted 553 of 2,680 applicants for fall 2025.
Typical entry requirements
| Test flexible alternatives | IB (predicted or actual), AP, Cambridge A-Level (predicted or actual) or French Baccalaureate can replace the SAT/ACT outside the School of Computer Science |
|---|---|
| English language | IELTS 7.5 · TOEFL iBT 102 Required of all non-native English speakers. TOEFL iBT 102 applies to tests taken before January 21, 2026; on the revised TOEFL scale CMU requires an overall 5 (subscores of 5 and above considered). Duolingo 135 or Cambridge English 191 also accepted, with subscores considered at the same levels; scores must be no more than two years old. |
Deadlines
- Early Decision Binding Next deadline · In 27 daysNovember 2, 2026
Notified by December 15; enroll by February 1. Not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
- Regular Decision (Schools of Drama and Music) Non-binding In 56 daysDecember 1, 2026
Includes pre-screen/audition scheduling; notified by April 1.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 4, 2027
Notified no later than April 1; enroll by May 1.
CMU's Application Plans & Deadlines page lists month and day only. The page was updated for the 2026-27 cycle: the October 2025 version listed November 3 and January 5 (the fall 2026 cycle), while the current version lists November 2, December 1 and January 4, so these dates apply to fall 2027 entry.
How to apply
Common App ($75 fee, waivers accepted); Common App essay; CMU Writing Supplement with three short answers of up to 300 words each; counselor evaluation; one teacher recommendation; test scores per college policy; portfolio, audition or pre-screen for Fine Arts programs
What admissions looks for
- Academic potential: rigorous courses and strong grades, and evidence that you challenged yourself within your school's offerings.
- CMU's core values: empathy, inclusivity, impact, collaboration, integrity and creativity, plus self-directed learning and critical thinking.
- Activities outside class, including jobs, hobbies and service, with attention to leadership, motivation, passion, perseverance and advocacy for others.
- Clear academic interests that fit the college you apply to, explained in your essays.
- For Fine Arts, artistic performance through portfolio or audition, which is the main or a significant factor.
Tips for applying to CMU
- 1 You apply to one college. Use the three 300-word short answers to explain why that specific program fits you, as CMU asks.
- 2 Check your college's testing rule. SCS requires the SAT or ACT, while test-flexible colleges accept AP, IB or A-Level results instead.
- 3 If you apply Early Decision, try to finish testing by November 1, which CMU strongly prefers; if you must test later in November, list the planned test date on your Common App.
- 4 Don't send resumes, portfolios or websites unless you're applying to Fine Arts. CMU doesn't accept supplemental materials and stops taking applicant updates after January 15.
- 5 Drama and Music applicants should apply early to get audition slots. These programs have a December 1 deadline and no Early Decision.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Carnegie Mellon University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
CMU meets 100% of demonstrated need for domestic students. Through the CMU Pathway Program, families earning under $75,000 pay no tuition and those under $100,000 get aid with no federal loans. CMU does not offer financial aid to international students, although DACA students may qualify for institutional aid.
- Tuition-free
- Family income under $75,000
- Aid packages without federal loans
- Family income under $100,000
- Less than $18,000
- Average student loan debt of CMU graduates
- $141.1 million
- Undergraduate aid budget, FY2024
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Computer Science (SCS)
No. 1 undergraduate computer science program in U.S. News' 2027 edition, which also ranks CMU No. 1 in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering and programming languages.
Artificial Intelligence (B.S.)
Run by the School of Computer Science, with CMU ranked No. 1 in AI by U.S. News (2027).
Electrical and Computer Engineering
CMU holds the No. 1 spot for undergraduate computer engineering (U.S. News 2027).
School of Drama
Conservatory training behind alumni such as Holly Hunter, Zachary Quinto and Leslie Odom Jr.; CMU counts 64 Tony Awards among its community.
BXA Intercollege Degrees
Formal degrees that combine fine arts with computer science, engineering, the humanities or science.
Tepper Business Administration
U.S. News 2027 ranks CMU No. 1 in management information systems among undergraduate business specialties.
Research
- The Robotics Institute, Machine Learning Department, Language Technologies Institute and Human-Computer Interaction Institute are all part of the School of Computer Science.
- The Software Engineering Institute is one of the university's largest research recipients.
- CMU computer scientist Scott Fahlman created the emoticon, and alumnus James Gosling created the Java programming language.
Schools & faculties
- College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
- Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
- Mellon College of Science
- School of Computer Science
- Tepper School of Business
91% of the class of 2025 were employed or continuing education within six months of graduation; average starting salary $116,882.
Student life
All first-years live in university housing, and CMU guarantees housing for all four years if you stay in the system. About 65% of undergraduates live on campus all four years. The traditions are unusual: students repaint The Fence overnight using only brushes, then guard it around the clock. Spring Carnival brings Booth, where student groups build multi-story structures, and Buggy, a relay race of aerodynamic pushcarts through Schenley Park that reaches 35 mph. The Scottish heritage shows in Scotty the terrier, the Kiltie Band and a bagpipe major.
- Spring Carnival with the Booth and Buggy competitions
- Painting The Fence, which must be done between midnight and sunrise with paintbrushes only
- 350+ student organizations
- Varsity teams, the Tartans, compete in NCAA Division III and the University Athletic Association
- 26 residence halls and apartments, including special-interest and Greek housing
Housing. First-years must live on campus, and housing is guaranteed for all four years if you stay in the university housing system.
Location
CMU's main campus sits between Schenley Park and the Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Shadyside neighborhoods, a few miles from downtown Pittsburgh. Oakland is shared with the University of Pittsburgh and major hospitals, so the area is full of students, and the city's rivers, hills, affordable neighborhoods and growing robotics and AI companies make Pittsburgh easy to live in on a student budget.
Nearest airport: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Notable alumni
- AW Andy WarholPop artist
- JF John Forbes NashMathematician; 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, subject of A Beautiful Mind
- JG James GoslingCreator of the Java programming language
- SK Stephanie KwolekChemist who invented Kevlar
- HH Holly HunterAcademy Award-winning actor
- LO Leslie Odom Jr.Tony-winning actor and singer (Hamilton)
- DT David TepperHedge fund investor and owner of the Carolina Panthers
- JR Judith ResnikNASA astronaut
Frequently asked questions
What is Carnegie Mellon's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, CMU admitted 3,859 of 34,867 first-year applicants, about 11.1%. Computer Science is much more selective than the overall rate.
Is Carnegie Mellon test-optional?
Only the College of Fine Arts is. The School of Computer Science requires the SAT or ACT. Engineering, Dietrich, Science, Tepper and Information Systems are 'test flexible' and accept AP, IB, A-Level or French Bac results in place of the SAT/ACT.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted the SAT scored 1500-1560, and the ACT range was 34-36.
Does Carnegie Mellon give financial aid to international students?
No. CMU does not offer financial aid to international students, who must plan to pay the full cost of attendance of about $93,614 for a first-year in 2026-27.
Does CMU have Early Decision?
Yes. There is one binding Early Decision round, due November 2, 2026, with decisions by December 15. It is not available for Drama, Music or BXA Design programs.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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