Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

#24PrivateUrban
16,335
Total Students
7,707
Undergrads
8,628
Graduates
11%
Acceptance
📍 Pittsburgh, PA
🎓 Est. 1900
🌐 Website
📊Admissions
11%
Acceptance Rate
3.8-4
Middle 50% GPA Range of Admitted Students
1460-1560
Composite Score
Middle 50% SAT Range of Admitted Students
33-35
Composite Score
Middle 50% ACT Range of Admitted Students

Acceptance Rate Trend

201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252%8%14%20%26%24.6%23.7%21.7%17.1%15.4%17.3%14.0%11.3%11.0%11.4%11.0%

SAT Score Range Trend

(middle 50% of admitted students)

Year25th Percentile75th Percentile
202215001570
202315001570
202415001570

Application Timeline

🗓️
Early Application Deadline
November 1 (Early Decision)
☘️
Decision Released
Mid-December
🗓️
Regular Decision Deadline
January 2
☘️
Decision Released
Late March

Application Methods

Common Application
Early Decision
Regular Decision
⚖️Fit Profile

👍 Great Fit If You Are:

1

Laser-focused builders

if you love locking in for hours on a project, whether it's code, robotics, or animation, CMU will match your intensity.

2

Results-first learners

if you thrive on delivering high-quality outcomes, and measure growth in what you create, not just what you read, CMU will push you to your peak.

3

Creative technologists

if you're a hybrid of logic and artistry (say, a coder who paints or a designer who prototypes), this place celebrates both sides.

4

Self-driven problem solvers

CMU gives you the tools, but expects you to figure out the blueprint

5

Internship-and-startup-minded students

if you want to build a résumé with real-world projects from year one, CMU’s industry pipeline is unmatched.

🚨 Not Ideal For:

1

Students craving balance

the grind is real. Workload is heavy and rest often feels earned, not given.

2

Those who need emotional hand-holding

support exists, but the culture prioritizes resilience over reassurance.

3

Social-life-first students

CMU has community, but parties and sports aren’t central to the experience.

4

Undecided students

you can explore, but many programs (like CS, design, drama) are lockstep and hard to transfer into.

5

People-pleasers

professors respect quality, not flattery. You’ll be challenged, sometimes bluntly.

📍Campus Location
College location map
👨‍🎓Student Life

☀️ Weather & Climate

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spring

45-65°F (7-18°C)

Variable, spring rain

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summer

70-85°F (21-29°C)

Warm and humid

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fall

45-70°F (7-21°C)

Pleasant, colorful foliage

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winter

25-40°F (-4-4°C)

Cold with snow

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Four seasons with moderate temperatures

☀️Average 160 sunny days per year

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Demographics

41%
International Students

Gender Ratio

Male
54%
Female
46%

Ethnic Distribution

Asian
42%
International
41%
White
25%
Other
20%
Hispanic
8%
Multi-Race
5%

📚 Popular Majors

Computer Science
Engineering
Information Technology
Business
Design and Applied Arts
💰Annual Tuition
In-State$67,020
Out-of-State$67,020
🍽️Dining & Nearby Areas

Campus Area Dining

Oakland
Squirrel Hill
Shadyside

Nearby Areas

Strip District
Nearby

Vibrant area known for its markets and eateries.

Price Range: Varies
Pittsburgh Downtown
2 miles

Cultural hub with restaurants and theaters.

Price Range: Varies
💸Career Outcomes
$95,000
Median Earnings
95%
Employment Rate
$93,200
Starting Salary
A+
Career Grade

Top Employers

Google
Microsoft
Amazon
Apple
Meta

Top Graduate School Destinations

CMU
MIT
Stanford
UC Berkeley
Harvard