Robotics Institute Carnegie Mellon
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
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- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Life at the Robotics Institute reflects the broader Carnegie Mellon culture: intellectually intense, collaborative, and diverse. Students work long hours on research while building strong relationships with peers who share their passion for robotics. The research-focused environment means much of student life centers on labs and projects. Housing is available both on-campus and in surrounding Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Graduate students often live in neighborhoods like Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, or Oakland, all within easy reach of campus. Pittsburgh's affordable cost of living compared to coastal cities allows students to live comfortably on graduate stipends. The graduate student community in robotics is international and diverse. Students come from engineering, computer science, physics, and other backgrounds, bringing varied perspectives to collaborative work. Student organizations bring together researchers across labs and projects. Annual events like the thesis proposal talks and defense celebrations create community milestones. Recreation opportunities balance intense academic work. Pittsburgh offers professional sports, excellent restaurants, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation. The surrounding hills provide hiking and biking, and students often organize group activities. The robotics community hosts informal gatherings that bring together students and faculty in social settings. The demands of research mean graduate school requires stamina and commitment. Students should expect to work evenings and weekends when deadlines approach or experiments require attention. However, faculty generally encourage sustainable practices, and the supportive peer community helps students navigate challenges.
Location & Surroundings
Carnegie Mellon's campus occupies a hillside site in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh and surrounded by museums, hospitals, and cultural institutions. The Robotics Institute is centered in the Gates Center for Computer Science and the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), with additional facilities across campus and at the nearby Hazelwood Green development site. Pittsburgh has transformed from its industrial past into a technology and healthcare hub, with robotics playing a significant role in this evolution. The concentration of robotics companies, many founded by institute alumni, creates an ecosystem where academic research and industry application develop together. Major technology companies including Google, Apple, and Amazon maintain significant Pittsburgh operations, particularly in robotics and autonomous vehicles. The climate features four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Pittsburgh's hilly terrain and rivers create distinctive neighborhoods. Public transportation is available but less comprehensive than in larger cities, so many students find cars useful for off-campus living. Traffic and parking on campus can be challenging. Pittsburgh's airport provides domestic and international connections, though some routes require connections through hub airports. Direct flights reach major business centers on the East Coast and Midwest. The city's cost of living is significantly lower than coastal markets, making the graduate student stipend more comfortable than it might be elsewhere. The surrounding region offers outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, and skiing within reasonable driving distance. Pittsburgh's cultural scene includes major orchestras, museums, and sports teams. The downtown area and neighborhood commercial districts provide restaurants, bars, and entertainment.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Ph.D. students at the Robotics Institute typically receive full funding including tuition, a stipend of approximately $35,000-40,000 annually, and health insurance. This support continues throughout the program, allowing students to focus entirely on research without financial pressure. Master's programs have higher out-of-pocket costs. MSR tuition is approximately $50,000-55,000 per year for the two-year program, with limited scholarship support. Students should budget an additional $25,000-30,000 annually for living expenses. Some students secure research assistantships that offset costs after the first semester. Career outcomes are exceptional. Ph.D. graduates take faculty positions at leading universities including MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon itself. Industry research positions at companies including Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and major automotive companies are common. The autonomous vehicle industry has absorbed many graduates into senior technical and leadership roles. Master's graduates enter technical roles at robotics companies, major technology firms, and startups. Starting salaries typically exceed $120,000-150,000 for industry positions, with total compensation at top companies potentially significantly higher. Some graduates continue to Ph.D. programs at Carnegie Mellon or elsewhere, using master's research to demonstrate capability. The Carnegie Mellon robotics network is extensive and active. Alumni occupy leadership positions across the industry and maintain engagement with current students. Career services support includes resume review, interview preparation, and connections to employers. The annual robotics career fair brings numerous companies seeking to hire Carnegie Mellon graduates.
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