Pittsburgh, PA
Carnegie Mellon University is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 7,304 students and an 11.7% acceptance rate. The university has a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 6-year graduation rate of 93.3%. The cost of attendance is $86,812, and the median earnings of graduates are $105,360 at 6 years and $114,862 at 10 years after enrollment.
Carnegie Mellon University admits just 11.7% of applicants, making it highly selective. The private institution enrolls 7,304 undergraduates and maintains a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio with a 93.3% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 19,656 | 1,808 | 9.2% | 852 |
| Women | 12,853 | 1,878 | 14.6% | 786 |
Carnegie Mellon University admits 11.7% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Carnegie Mellon's cost of attendance is $86,812 annually. The school enrolls 16.0% Pell grant recipients, indicating financial aid availability for lower-income students.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $231.
After aid, Carnegie Mellon University costs $31,944 a year — about 41% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Carnegie Mellon University has a 93.3% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $105,360 six years after enrollment and $114,862 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 218 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 192 |
| Business Administration and Management,... | 174 |
| Systems Science and Theory | 138 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 114 |
| Statistics, General | 106 |
| Chemical Engineering | 51 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 46 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 45 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | 44 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Carnegie Mellon University are $105,524, and 85% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Carnegie Mellon University students earn $105,360 — 132% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Carnegie Mellon University is a private nonprofit institution with 7,304 undergraduates and a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics, including football, with annual athletic revenue of $2.5 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
481 of 7,038 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
18 of 7,289 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 496 of 8,307 graduate students.
Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Carnegie Mellon University spends $23,576 per student on research — about 4× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 1.8 miles from the center of Pittsburgh. There are 23 other colleges within 25 miles, and Pittsburgh, PA is 1.8 miles away.
Allegheny County scores 12.0 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 11.6% of Pittsburgh's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Carnegie Mellon University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Carnegie Mellon University reported 13 arrests and 53 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Carnegie Mellon University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Carnegie Mellon has an acceptance rate of 11.7%, making it highly selective. You'll need strong academics, test scores, and a compelling application to be competitive for admission.
The cost of attendance is $86,812 annually, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. However, many students receive financial aid that reduces their actual out-of-pocket costs.
Carnegie Mellon has a $3.2 billion endowment supporting generous aid. About 16% of students receive Pell Grants, and the university meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students.
Median earnings are $105,360 six years after enrollment and $114,862 ten years after enrollment, reflecting strong career outcomes. This places Carnegie Mellon among top universities for graduate earning potential.
Carnegie Mellon's 6-year graduation rate is 93.3%. For non-Pell students it's 95.9%, while Pell grant recipients graduate at 91.7%, demonstrating strong completion across all student populations.
Undergraduate enrollment is 7,304 students with a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This provides a medium-sized university with small class experiences and strong faculty mentorship.
Women make up 49.1% of the student body, while first-generation students represent 10% of enrollment. The university continues working to expand socioeconomic and demographic diversity.
Yes, Carnegie Mellon competes in NCAA Division III and has a football program. The athletic department generates $2.5 million in revenue, supporting varsity and club sports programs.
Carnegie Mellon's $3.2 billion endowment, 11.7% acceptance rate, and 93.3% graduation rate reflect a highly selective research university. Graduates report median earnings of $105,360 six years after enrollment and $114,862 at ten years.
While specific debt figures aren't provided, Carnegie Mellon's strong endowment and generous aid policies suggest manageable debt. Contact the financial aid office for personalized debt projections based on your circumstances.