# Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university

Carnegie Mellon University is a private nonprofit college in Pittsburgh, PA with 7,304 undergraduates. It admits 12% of applicants, and admitted students average 1546 on the SAT. The average net price after aid is $35,780 per year ($14,468 for families earning under $30,000). 94% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $125,257 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 12% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test optional (considered if submitted) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 33,707 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 3,843 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | 730–770 (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | 770–800 (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | 34–35 (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $86,759 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $35,780 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $14,468 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $4,293 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $17,816 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $24,455 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $56,003 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 7,304 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 94% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $125,257 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 (FY2024) |

## What Carnegie Mellon University considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Required
- High school GPA: Required
- College-prep coursework: Required
- Class rank: Considered
- Essay or personal statement: Required
- Recommendations: Required
- Demonstrated competencies: Required
- Legacy status: Not considered
- Work experience: Considered
- English proficiency test: Required

## FAQ

**What is Carnegie Mellon University's acceptance rate?**

Carnegie Mellon University admits 12% of applicants, which makes it very selective.

**What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University?**

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 730–770 on SAT Reading and Writing and 770–800 on SAT Math; the average total is 1546.

**What ACT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University?**

The middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students is 34–35.

**Is Carnegie Mellon University test optional?**

Test optional (considered if submitted).

**How many students apply to Carnegie Mellon University?**

In Fall 2023, 33,707 students applied to Carnegie Mellon University and 3,843 were admitted; 1,708 enrolled.

**Does Carnegie Mellon University consider legacy status?**

No. Carnegie Mellon University reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does Carnegie Mellon University require an essay?**

Carnegie Mellon University reported that an essay or personal statement is required for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does Carnegie Mellon University cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $86,759 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $35,780.

**What is Carnegie Mellon University's graduation rate?**

94% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 211440. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology