Contents
Carnegie Mellon University admission at a glance
Carnegie Mellon University takes first-year applications through the Common Application only, with a $75 fee, and you apply to a specific college, school or program. Its plans page prints Early Decision with a November 2 deadline and Regular Decision with a January 4 deadline, both without a year, and its financial aid page for prospective undergraduates says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs.
Carnegie Mellon's admissions pages do not name Fall 2027, the Class of 2031 or the 2026-2027 application season. The plan dates are standing dates printed without a year, so read them as Carnegie Mellon's published plan dates and not as a confirmed Fall 2027 calendar. The same applies to each rule below: the table gives the period and scope that Carnegie Mellon prints beside it.
Carnegie Mellon is a single admissions system with several doors. The college you choose on the Common Application decides which testing rule, which portfolio or audition step and which deadline applies to you, so that choice comes before anything else.
What catches international applicants out
- Early Decision is binding, and with it you can apply to only one college within the university: Early Decision is a binding application plan.
- Applicants to the Schools of Drama and Music have their own Regular Decision deadline, December 1, earlier than the general Regular Decision date.
- Federal and state aid is limited: only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs; the financial aid chapter sets out the other aid Carnegie Mellon prints.
- Carnegie Mellon requires the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test from all nonnative English speakers.
- Testing differs by college (policy for fall 2026): the Griffin School of Computer Science requires an SAT or an ACT score, while other colleges use different rules.
The chapters that follow take each rule in turn.
| Topic | What Carnegie Mellon publishes | Period and scope |
|---|---|---|
| How you apply | Common Application exclusively, submitted online, with a $75 fee | Application process, no year printed |
| Which college | You apply to a specific college, school or program | Carnegie Mellon undergraduate admission |
| Plans | Early Decision November 2; Regular Decision January 4; Regular Decision for Schools of Drama and Music December 1 | Plan dates, no year printed |
| Testing | The policy varies by college or program; the Griffin School of Computer Science requires an SAT or an ACT score | Policy Carnegie Mellon publishes for fall 2026 |
| Cost | Total cost of attendance $93,614 | 2026-2027, first-years entering fall 2026 |
Carnegie Mellon reputation and history
Carnegie Mellon University began in 1900, when Andrew Carnegie gave $1 million to the city of Pittsburgh for a school of practical skills, and it took its present name in 1967. Carnegie Mellon describes itself as a university without borders, with its flagship campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The first Carnegie Technical Schools class was admitted in 1906. Carnegie Tech began granting bachelor's degrees in 1912 and awarded the first U.S. drama degree in 1914. In 1967 Carnegie Tech merged with the Mellon Institute, a science research center founded by the Mellon family of Pittsburgh, and became known as Carnegie Mellon University. In 1986 the School of Computer Science pioneered computing and artificial intelligence, led by Allen Newell and Herbert Simon.
How Carnegie Mellon describes itself
Under the heading "CMU Population by the Numbers", Carnegie Mellon counts 16,582+ students representing 132+ countries and 1,615+ faculty representing 63+ countries. The same heading lists 127,691+ alumni representing 150+ countries.
Pittsburgh and the other campuses
Carnegie Mellon describes its flagship campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a vibrant hub of learning and innovation, and the university lists campuses in Pittsburgh, Miami, Silicon Valley, Qatar and Africa. In 2026 Carnegie Mellon announced a new campus in Miami, thanks to a historic $3 billion donation from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin.
Carnegie Mellon acceptance rate and international share
Carnegie Mellon describes its admission review as holistic: no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate. Its Student Admission page says 45% of the student population are international students.
International share of students
The 45% figure is the share Carnegie Mellon gives for its whole student population, according to the page as of October 2026; the page gives no separate share for undergraduates and prints no year beside it.
Why your college choice matters
Carnegie Mellon's testing policy varies according to college or program, and each college and school has its own high school course requirements, so the college you choose shapes your application, as the following chapters set out.
How Carnegie Mellon selects students
Carnegie Mellon calls its approach to admission holistic: no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate. What you submit still depends on the college you apply to, because each college and school has its own high school course requirements.
The table sets out what Carnegie Mellon states it considers. The next chapters take the college-specific rules one by one.
| Part of your file | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| Academic record | Carnegie Mellon pays close attention to your curriculum rigor, the grades you have earned and the work you have accomplished |
| Activities | Extracurricular accomplishments, part-time jobs, hobbies and community service play a very important role |
| Recommendations | Carnegie Mellon accepts a third recommendation but requires its committees to consider only two |
| Artistic performance | For programs in the College of Fine Arts, your artistic performance is either the main factor or a significant factor, depending on the program |
| Test scores | The testing policy varies according to college or program, as the testing chapter sets out |
Extra materials
Carnegie Mellon doesn't accept supplemental submissions, such as resumes, artwork, portfolios, recording or websites. Programs in the College of Fine Arts require portfolios or auditions, which the Fine Arts chapter sets out.
Citizenship and ability to pay
Carnegie Mellon's financial aid page for prospective undergraduates states that only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs, so the cost and financial aid chapters matter before you apply.
College-level work in high school
Carnegie Mellon may grant placement or credit for college-level work you have completed in high school. That is a credit rule applied after admission, and it is separate from the review of your application. The diploma chapter gives the AP and IB credit details.
Carnegie Mellon colleges and schools: how first-year applicants choose one
Carnegie Mellon has seven colleges and schools, and as a first-year applicant you'll apply to a specific college, school or program. Early Decision allows only one college, so the choice you make on the Common Application comes before every other decision.
Carnegie Mellon states that you apply directly to a college or school within Carnegie Mellon, so it encourages you to use part of your essays to describe your academic interests and goals. That choice sets the course requirements and, in some colleges, the testing rule that applies to you.
| College or school | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| Griffin School of Computer Science | Requires an SAT or an ACT score |
| College of Engineering | Listed under Engineering; test flexible policy |
| Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Test flexible policy |
| Information Systems | Listed under Dietrich College and Heinz College; Heinz College's Information Systems program operates on a test flexible policy |
| Mellon College of Science | Listed for science and math |
| Tepper School of Business | Listed for business |
| College of Fine Arts | Listed for arts; your artistic performance is the main factor or a significant factor, depending on the program |
| BXA Intercollege Degree Programs | Listed under Arts + Academics; the degrees are BCSA, BESA, BHA and BSA |
Each college sets its own testing rule and its own high school course requirements, which the testing and diploma chapters set out.
One college or several
- Early Decision: you can apply to only one college within the university.
- Regular Decision: Carnegie Mellon's admissions pages do not state how many colleges you may list. The application portal refers to "college choice(s)" when it asks you to confirm your application plan.
- Transfer applicants are only considered for one college or program within Carnegie Mellon.
Course requirements differ by college
Each college and school within Carnegie Mellon has its own high school course requirements. The Academic Requirements & Credit for College-Level Work page lists them college by college, and the diploma chapter gives the units each one asks for. Read the list for your chosen college before you pick your final-year subjects.
BXA intercollege degree programs
Carnegie Mellon lists the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs under Arts + Academics. Early Decision is not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
Carnegie Mellon application step by step: Common App, documents and timeline
Carnegie Mellon uses the Common Application exclusively, all applications must be submitted online, and the Common Application carries a $75 application fee.
| Item | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| Common Application | Submitted online, with a $75 application fee |
| High school courses and grades | Listed as a required application material |
| Secondary school counselor evaluation | Listed as a required application material |
| Teacher recommendation | Listed as a required application material |
| Common Application essay | Listed as a required application material |
| Common Application Writing Supplement | Three short-answer questions, each no longer than 300 words |
| Test scores | Varies by college or program (policy for fall 2026), as the testing chapter sets out |
Carnegie Mellon accepts fee waivers from students who meet one of the indicators of economic need as outlined on the Common Application.
Essays and the writing supplement
The Writing Supplement is three short-answer questions, not three essays, and your short answer responses shouldn't exceed 300 words each.
On AI tools, Carnegie Mellon says AI should never replace your unique voice, experiences and personal expression and, if used at all, should only serve as a supplementary tool to enhance your writing.
Recommendations
If you are applying as a first-year student, Carnegie Mellon requires two letters of recommendation: one from a high school counselor and one from a teacher.
After you submit
Supplemental and optional materials
Carnegie Mellon doesn't accept supplemental submissions, such as resumes, artwork, portfolios, recording or websites. Under Optional Materials, Carnegie Mellon will consider a Schoolhouse.world portfolio as part of its holistic undergraduate admissions review process, and students who earn Schoolhouse.world certifications are eligible to take placement exams in foundational STEM topics at CMU. Applicants to the College of Engineering and the School of Computer Science only may choose to submit a VIVA video assessment about a project that is important to them. College of Fine Arts applicants follow their own portfolio and audition rules, which the Fine Arts chapter sets out.
Age rule
You must be at least 13 years old when you submit your application.
Carnegie Mellon Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines
Carnegie Mellon's Application Plans & Deadlines page names three first-year plans: "Early Decision" with a deadline of November 2, "Regular Decision" with a deadline of January 4, and "Regular Decision for Schools of Drama and Music" with a deadline of December 1. These are standing dates printed without a year, and Early Decision is a binding plan.
Carnegie Mellon's pages do not state which entry year these dates belong to, so read them as Carnegie Mellon's published plan dates and not as a confirmed Fall 2027 calendar. The Admission FAQ lists three ways to apply: Early Decision, Regular Decision and Transfer Admission.
| Plan | Deadline | Notified by | Enroll by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | November 2 | December 15 | February 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | No later than April 1 | May 1 |
| Regular Decision for Schools of Drama and Music | December 1 | No later than April 1 | May 1 |
Where Carnegie Mellon's own pages differ
Carnegie Mellon's own pages print three different Early Decision dates. The plans page and the Admission FAQ differ by one day, and a second FAQ answer on switching plans refers to a third date, so confirm the date shown for your college in the Common Application before you plan around any of them.
| Source | Early Decision | Regular Decision | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Plans & Deadlines page | November 2 | January 4 | February 16 |
| Admission FAQ | November 3 | January 5 | February 15 |
| Admission FAQ, answer on switching plans | November 1 | Not stated there | Not stated there |
How Early Decision works
- Early Decision is a binding application plan.
- You can apply to only one college within the university.
- Early Decision is not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
- You should not apply for Early Decision if you have a pending Early Decision application with another college or university.
- If admitted, you must agree to withdraw applications previously submitted to other institutions, using the Early Decision Agreement.
- Three decisions can be given: admit, deny or defer to Regular Decision. If you are denied under Early Decision, you can't reapply under Regular Decision.
Drama, Music and the College of Fine Arts
The Schools of Drama and Music have an earlier Regular Decision application deadline of December 1. Carnegie Mellon's FAQ explains that Music and Drama applicants must submit by that date to leave time to schedule auditions. Carnegie Mellon also encourages College of Fine Arts applicants to submit their application earlier in the process in order to secure auditions or portfolio review appointments.
Testing dates and switching plans
If you want Carnegie Mellon to consider test scores, it is strongly preferred that Early Decision applicants complete all standardized testing by November 1, and December testing is too late for Early Decision consideration. Carnegie Mellon prefers testing to be completed by November 1 for Early Decision applicants and by January 3 for Regular Decision applicants.
Regular Decision applicants who want to change to Early Decision may do so by emailing the Office of Admission by November 1.
Transfer dates
For Fall Transfer to all colleges and schools except the College of Fine Arts, the plans page gives a deadline of February 16, notification by May 17 and enrolment by June 1. For the College of Fine Arts the deadline is December 1 for drama and music and January 5 for architecture, art and design. These dates also carry no year.
Carnegie Mellon SAT, ACT and testing policy
Carnegie Mellon states that its testing policy for fall 2026 varies by college or program: the School of Computer Science will require an SAT or an ACT score, five other colleges and programs are test flexible, and the College of Fine Arts is test optional and requires portfolios or auditions. Carnegie Mellon publishes no minimum SAT or ACT score.
The policy Carnegie Mellon publishes is dated fall 2026 on its Admission Consideration page, and its Standardized Testing page carries no date. Carnegie Mellon's pages do not state a separate policy for Fall 2027, so the rules below are the fall 2026 policy as Carnegie Mellon prints it.
| College or program | Policy | What you submit |
|---|---|---|
| The School of Computer Science | Requires an SAT or an ACT score | SAT or ACT |
| College of Engineering; Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Heinz College's Information Systems program; Mellon College of Science; Tepper School of Business | Test flexible | SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Cambridge A-Level or French Baccalaureate; predicted or actual results for the IB, Cambridge A-Level and French Baccalaureate |
| The College of Fine Arts | Test optional | Portfolios or auditions |
Test flexible has a precise meaning at Carnegie Mellon: students are required to submit test scores to complete their application, but they may choose which type of test they prefer to submit. It is not the same as test optional, which applies to the College of Fine Arts.
Superscoring and score reports
- Carnegie Mellon allows superscoring of SAT test results, but it is unable to accept superscored results for the ACT exam, because of the composite score included in the score report.
- Both domestic and international applicants who submit SAT or ACT scores may share either official or self-reported scores; official score reports are required only if you are admitted and choose to enroll.
- If you submit predicted IB, Cambridge A-Level or French Baccalaureate results, you must submit your actual results only if you are admitted and choose to enroll.
- Carnegie Mellon encourages 11th or 12th grade SAT or ACT scores. The Carnegie Mellon SAT code is 2074 and the ACT code is 3534.
Test dates
For students submitting standardized tests, Carnegie Mellon prefers that all testing is completed by November 1 for Early Decision applicants and by January 3 for Regular Decision applicants. These are preferred dates printed without a year.
SAT and ACT minimums
Carnegie Mellon is committed to a holistic approach in which no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate. It does not publish a minimum SAT or ACT score for admission.
International applicants and testing
Carnegie Mellon's testing policy varies according to college or program, and its pages state no separate testing rule by country. IB and AP results are among the test-flexible options for the five test flexible colleges and programs, while the credit they can earn after enrolment is covered in the diploma chapter.
The test flexible policy applies to the College of Engineering, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Heinz College's Information Systems program, Mellon College of Science and Tepper School of Business, according to the page as of October 2026. The options listed for those colleges are the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam (predicted or actual scores), Cambridge A-Level (predicted or actual results), the French Baccalaureate (predicted or actual scores) and Advanced Placement, alongside the SAT and ACT.
Carnegie Mellon English language requirements
If English isn't one of your first languages, Carnegie Mellon requires official results from one of the listed tests: the TOEFL, the IELTS, the Duolingo English Test or the Cambridge English Assessment. The minimum is an IELTS Academic overall band of 7.5 and a TOEFL iBT total of 102 for exams taken before Jan. 21, 2026, or 5 for exams taken on or after that date. These are the minimums as the Standardized Testing page states them in October 2026.
| Test | Minimum overall | Subscores considered |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | At least 7.5 overall | 7.5 and above |
| TOEFL iBT, exams taken before Jan. 21, 2026 | At least 102 overall | 25 and above in each section |
| TOEFL iBT, exams taken on or after Jan. 21, 2026 | At least 5 overall | 5 and above in each section |
| TOEFL Essentials | At least 11 overall | 11 and above |
| Duolingo English Test | At least 135 overall | Integrated subscores of 135 and above (Literacy, Conversation, Comprehension, Production) |
| Cambridge English Assessment | At least 191 overall | 191 and above |
A TOEFL iBT taken on or after Jan. 21, 2026 is measured against the scale with a minimum of 5, not the scale with a minimum of 102. Carnegie Mellon's FAQ adds that it accepts three versions of the TOEFL: the iBT, the iBT Home Edition and the Essentials exam. It names the IELTS Academic exam as the IELTS version it accepts, while the testing page also lists IELTS (or IELTS Online).
Who must submit an English test
Carnegie Mellon writes that it requires the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test from all nonnative English speakers. The testing page words the rule as "If English isn't one of your first languages", and the undergraduate requirements page as "If English is not your native language". Transfer applicants are covered too: if English isn't your native language, an English proficiency exam is required, even if you didn't take one previously.
The rule is set by first language: Carnegie Mellon requires the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test from all nonnative English speakers, and the testing page applies it if English isn't one of your first languages. Plan on taking a test unless English is one of your first languages.
Deadlines and sending scores
- Take the TOEFL or IELTS no later than December of your senior year.
- Scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application, and Carnegie Mellon prefers that you submit results from the past two years.
- If you take the TOEFL more than once, Carnegie Mellon uses the set of scores with the highest overall score. It does not use TOEFL MyBest scores.
- All results must still be valid when you submit them.
- The name you use for test registration must be identical to the way your name is listed on your passport and in your admissions application.
Carnegie Mellon requirements for IB, A-levels and other diplomas
Carnegie Mellon publishes no minimum IB, A-level, US high school diploma, AP or SAT result for admission. It lists high school courses and grades as a required application material, sets high school course units that differ by college, and accepts IB, Cambridge A-Level and French Baccalaureate results, predicted or actual, as test options for the test flexible colleges.
Records you send
Whatever qualification you take, including the Matura, the Abitur or another national school-leaving certificate, Carnegie Mellon lists your high school courses and grades as a required application material, and the course units by college below set the subjects it asks for.
Course units by college
Each college and school within Carnegie Mellon has its own high school course requirements. The table gives the units Carnegie Mellon lists for each one.
For the College of Engineering, four years of mathematics should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, elementary functions (pre-calculus) and preferably calculus. For Architecture, they should include the same topics up to pre-calculus, and advanced mathematics courses are encouraged. For Information Systems, advanced mathematics courses are encouraged, especially a course in calculus. For Dietrich College, advanced mathematics courses are strongly encouraged for students pursuing Bachelor of Science degree programs. These notes are as printed on the page as of October 2026.
Credit for AP, IB and A-levels
These are credit rules after you are admitted, not admission minimums. Carnegie Mellon may grant advanced placement and credit for scores of four and five on Advanced Placement exams. It may grant advanced standing or credit in various fields for scores of six or seven on the higher level exams of the International Baccalaureate. For the Cambridge GCE A-level examinations in various higher-level subjects, it may grant advanced placement and/or credit for exemplary grades. Carnegie Mellon does not accept GCE "O" level examinations for placement.
College of Fine Arts applicants: portfolios, auditions and pre-screens
The College of Fine Arts is made up of five schools, and at Carnegie Mellon all visual arts programs and select performing arts programs require a portfolio. For the Schools of Drama and Music the Regular Decision deadline is December 1, and Early Decision is not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
All College of Fine Arts applicants must submit additional materials beyond Carnegie Mellon's general admission requirements. For the School of Drama or the School of Music, you must arrange a required pre-screen, audition or portfolio review. For the Schools of Architecture, Art and Design, you must submit the required portfolio and creative materials. Your artistic performance will be either the main factor or a significant factor, depending on the program, in the admission decision.
| School | Portal | What you submit |
|---|---|---|
| School of Architecture | Slideroom | A portfolio of 10 creative works |
| School of Art | Slideroom | A portfolio of 10 to 20 recent creative works |
| School of Design | Slideroom | A portfolio with 10 to 19 slides, including your 90-second About Me video |
| School of Drama | Acceptd | A pre-screening, then an invitation to audition |
| School of Music | Acceptd | A prescreen for Performance (Vocal and Instrumental); a portfolio of creative work for Electronic Music |
An audition is required for most programs within the Schools of Drama and Music. Within Drama, Design/Production applicants submit a portfolio, and Dramaturgy applicants add a resumé and a brief letter of less than 750 words. In Music, a Composition applicant submits a portfolio of three (3) manuscripts of original compositions, and Electronic Music applicants submit a portfolio containing samples of their creative work and must also schedule an interview with Electronic Music faculty, which the School of Music reaches out to schedule in January, where applicable.
Fine Arts dates
Carnegie Mellon encourages College of Fine Arts applicants to submit their application earlier in the process in order to secure auditions or portfolio review appointments. Portfolios for Architecture, Art and Design go through the Slideroom portal; for auditions, ask the School of Drama or the School of Music about the format before you plan travel.
BXA and the College of Fine Arts
Carnegie Mellon lists the BXA Intercollege Degree Programs under Arts + Academics. The BXA Intercollege degrees are the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), the Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA), the Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA) and the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA).
What to study at Carnegie Mellon: majors and programmes
Carnegie Mellon lists the Griffin School of Computer Science among its units, a Bachelor of Architecture that is a five-year degree, and four BXA Intercollege degrees: BCSA, BESA, BHA and BSA.
| Area | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| Computer science | Listed under Computer Science as the Griffin School of Computer Science; requires an SAT or an ACT score |
| Engineering | Listed under Engineering as the College of Engineering; test flexible policy |
| Business | Listed under Business as the Tepper School of Business; test flexible policy |
| Drama | A rigorous Conservatory program; the first U.S. drama degree was awarded in 1914 at Carnegie Tech |
| Architecture | The Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year, first professional degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) |
| Interdisciplinary | BCSA, BESA, BHA and BSA intercollege degrees, plus the freedom to combine your studies |
Computer science and artificial intelligence
The Griffin School of Computer Science is the unit Carnegie Mellon lists for computer science, and it requires an SAT or an ACT score. In 1986 the School of Computer Science pioneered computing and artificial intelligence, led by interdisciplinary efforts of Allen Newell and Herbert Simon.
Tepper School of Business
Carnegie Mellon lists the Tepper School of Business under business, and it follows the test flexible policy. Its high school units are 4 years English, 4 years Mathematics, 1 year Chemistry, 1 year Physics, 1 year Biology, 2 years Foreign Language and 3 Electives.
School of Drama
Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama is a rigorous Conservatory program providing classical theater training while incorporating contemporary changes to the discipline. Entry to Drama runs through a pre-screening and audition, as the Fine Arts chapter sets out.
School of Architecture
The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a five-year, first professional degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Applicants submit a portfolio, as the Fine Arts chapter describes.
Engineering and interdisciplinary options
Carnegie Mellon lists the College of Engineering under engineering, and it follows the test flexible policy.
Beyond single majors, Carnegie Mellon states that you are free to combine your studies in the way that suits you best. The BXA programs lead to a Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), a Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), a Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) or a Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA).
Career outcomes and Carnegie Mellon alumni
Carnegie Mellon's Access & Affordability page lists an average post-graduation salary of $114,704 and states that 90% of its 2024 graduates were employed or continued their education within 6 months after graduation.
First destination surveys and student debt
Carnegie Mellon also publishes first destination career outcomes of previously graduated classes, from 2021 to 2025.
Carnegie Mellon states that its graduates have, on average, $17,519 in student loan debt, and it puts the national average at over $39,000.
The alumni network
Carnegie Mellon's population figures list 127,691+ alumni representing 150+ countries. The count carries no year on the page.
Carnegie Mellon cost of attendance for 2026-2027, first-years entering fall 2026
Carnegie Mellon's 2026-2027 Undergraduate Tuition & Fees page, for first-years entering fall 2026, lists tuition of $69,702 and a total cost of attendance of $93,614 for resident students. Carnegie Mellon's fee pages list 2026-2027 and 2025-2026 tables only, so these 2026-2027 figures are the latest it prints.
| Item | Resident | Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $69,702 | $69,702 |
| Housing | 11,700 | 0 |
| Food | 7,950 | 3,976 |
| First-Year Experience Fee | 748 | 748 |
| Technology Fee | 490 | 490 |
| Student Activities Fee | 322 | 322 |
| Transportation Fee | 302 | 302 |
| Total tuition, fees and living expenses | $91,214 | $75,540 |
| Books, course materials, supplies, equipment | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses | 1,300 | 1,300 |
| Estimated loan fees | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation allowance | 0 | 680 |
| Total cost of attendance | $93,614 | $78,620 |
All incoming first-year students are required to live on campus, and permission to commute must be granted by Student Affairs, so the resident column is the one that applies to most first-years. The per-unit tuition rate on the same page is $969.
Health insurance and international students
Health insurance coverage is also required. The individual premium for 2026-2027 is $3,093/year; if you are covered under a family's health plan, a waiver may be submitted to University Health Services for approval. Carnegie Mellon's financial aid page for prospective undergraduates says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs, so an international family should budget from the total cost of attendance above. Carnegie Mellon's cost pages list no separate fee for international students.
How the total is built and billed
Carnegie Mellon explains that expenses include direct costs like tuition, fees, housing and meals, as well as indirect costs like books, transportation and personal expenses. Undergraduate tuition is set by the Board of Trustees and university leadership.
Carnegie Mellon publishes its figures in US dollars, so convert at your bank's current rate when you plan the budget.
Carnegie Mellon financial aid for international students
Carnegie Mellon's financial aid page for prospective undergraduates says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs. Carnegie Mellon meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduates who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents. For CMU-Qatar students, merit-based scholarships and need-based grants are available to students of all nationalities. These statements are as the pages read in October 2026.
| Group | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| International students | Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs |
| U.S. citizens and permanent residents (US context) | Carnegie Mellon meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average financial aid offer is $59,017 |
| CMU-Qatar students (CMU-Qatar only) | Merit-based scholarships and need-based grants are available to students of all nationalities (CMU-Qatar students) |
Forms and dates for aid applicants
These dates apply to applicants who are eligible to apply for aid. The CSS Profile and FAFSA typically open Oct. 1 for the next academic year. The Early Decision preferred deadline is November 15 and the Regular Decision preferred deadline is February 15. Early Decision financial aid offers are released in mid-December and Regular Decision offers in late March, as Carnegie Mellon prints them without a year.
Students can still apply for financial aid after the preferred deadline. Non-U.S. tax filers must also submit foreign tax returns and wage statements, along with a translation. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs.
Need-based programs, for context
Under the CMU Pathway Program, undergraduate students whose families earn $75,000 or less annually, with typical assets, attend tuition-free, and those at $100,000 or less have 100% of their financial need covered without federal loans. Read it together with the need rule above: Carnegie Mellon meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduates who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The Net Price Calculator is intended for U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens and permanent residents.
Who relies on aid
Carnegie Mellon says nearly half of its undergraduate students rely on some type of financial aid to pay for educational expenses.
Housing and dining at Carnegie Mellon
All first-year students at Carnegie Mellon are required to live in university housing, and Carnegie Mellon guarantees a place to stay for all four years if you remain in the university housing system. For first-years entering fall 2026, the cost-of-attendance table lists housing of 11,700 and food of 7,950 for resident students.
| Topic | What Carnegie Mellon states |
|---|---|
| First year | All incoming first-year students are required to live on campus; permission to commute must be granted by Student Affairs |
| Dining plan | Required for all first-year students |
| Four years | A place to stay is guaranteed for all four years if you remain in the university housing system |
| Housing cost, 2026-2027 | 11,700 for resident first-years entering fall 2026 |
| Food cost, 2026-2027 | 7,950 for resident first-years entering fall 2026 |
| Returning students | Housing is based on an apartment double rate; the off-campus housing allowance is $10,200 |
Carnegie Mellon owns 26 residence halls and apartments on and off campus, some with laundry facilities. Campus housing is only available for traditional-age college students.
Dining plans
Dining plans are required for all first-year students. Carnegie Mellon offers vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher options, as well as Nourish, its food-allergy-safe dining location.
After your first year
Housing for returning students is based on an apartment double rate, which is the most commonly available room for these students. The off-campus housing allowance for returning students is $10,200.
Move-in day
Carnegie Mellon's page set Move-In Day for incoming first-year students for Saturday, August 15, 2026, the fall 2026 intake. That date has passed.
Student life at Carnegie Mellon and in Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon sponsors 19 Division III varsity sports teams and lists 23 club sports organizations, and it describes Pittsburgh as a city with a cost of living at the national average. Its Student Admission page says 45% of the student population are international students.
| Topic | Carnegie Mellon's figure | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Varsity sports | 19 Division III teams | Carnegie Mellon sponsors them |
| Club sports | 23 organizations | Include figure skating, crew, cricket, rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, cycling, fencing and martial arts |
| International students overall | 45% | Whole student population, no year printed |
Pittsburgh and the campus neighbourhood
Carnegie Mellon describes Pittsburgh as a city with a cost of living at the national average, a thriving innovation ecosystem and a rich cultural offering. It lists 3,800 Acres of city parks, including Schenley Park, which is adjacent to campus. Nearly 300,000 professionals power Pittsburgh's booming tech industries, according to Carnegie Mellon.
Your Carnegie Mellon student ID is also your key to the city's museums and attractions, all for free, according to Carnegie Mellon.
Support for international students
International students get their I-20 or DS-2019 through the Office of International Education (OIE) and its MyOIE Portal. The visa chapter covers the immigration steps in detail.
Visa, I-20 and arrival for international students
After you are admitted to Carnegie Mellon, you receive your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) by submitting the New Student Initial Document Request E-Form through the MyOIE Portal, and the Office of International Education (OIE) aims to process it within 4 weeks of receiving all necessary information.
Office of International Education
The Office of International Education (OIE) aims to process the I-20 or DS-2019 within 4 weeks of receiving all necessary information. Consulate wait times vary, so check your nearest consulate's own schedule as soon as your document arrives.
Health insurance
Health insurance coverage is required. The individual premium for 2026-2027 is $3,093/year. If a student is covered under a family's health plan, a waiver may be submitted to University Health Services for approval.
Working after graduation
Check the rules for work during and after your studies before you plan around them.
Who is Carnegie Mellon for? Summary
Carnegie Mellon suits an international applicant who knows which college to apply to, has a budget for the full cost of attendance of $93,614 (2026-2027, first-years entering fall 2026), and fits that college's testing and English rules. Carnegie Mellon's financial aid page says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs, so the fit starts with the budget.
Who Carnegie Mellon suits
- Your budget covers the total cost of attendance, because only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs.
- You know your college. Carnegie Mellon states that you apply directly to a college or school within the university, and Early Decision allows only one college.
- You are ready for a binding commitment if you choose Early Decision: Early Decision is a binding application plan.
- You meet your college's testing rule. The College of Fine Arts is test optional and requires portfolios or auditions, while the School of Computer Science requires an SAT or an ACT score.
- You are comfortable with a holistic review: no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate.
Carnegie Mellon fits less well if you need federal or state financial aid to enroll as an international student, if you cannot yet name one college or program, or if you want to keep other offers open after admission, which a binding Early Decision plan does not allow.
Next steps and dates
After you apply, you need to register on the Where Am I in the Process? portal in order to receive your admission decision and financial aid offer.
What to check on Carnegie Mellon's pages before you apply
- The testing policy for your college: Carnegie Mellon publishes it for fall 2026 and varies it by college or program.
- The portfolio, pre-screen or audition rules and dates, if you apply to the College of Fine Arts.
- The deadline for your plan on the Application Plans & Deadlines page, since Carnegie Mellon's own pages differ by a day or more.
- The course units your college lists, and the English test minimum that applies to the date you sit the exam.
Carnegie Mellon: frequently asked questions
What are the realistic chances of getting into Carnegie Mellon as an international applicant?
Carnegie Mellon describes its admission review as holistic: no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate. Its Student Admission page says 45% of the student population are international students.
Is Carnegie Mellon the same as Carnegie Hall in New York?
No. Carnegie Mellon is a university with its flagship campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It began in 1900 when Andrew Carnegie gave $1 million to the city of Pittsburgh for a school of practical skills, and it took its present name in 1967 when Carnegie Tech merged with the Mellon Institute.
How does CMU School of Computer Science differ from MIT EECS?
The Griffin School of Computer Science is listed under Computer Science, requires an SAT or an ACT score, and lists these high school units: 4 years English, 4 years Mathematics, 1 year Physics, 2 years of Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science, 2 years Foreign Language and 3 Electives. Carnegie Mellon says the School of Computer Science pioneered computing and artificial intelligence in 1986.
Do I have to apply separately to each CMU school?
You apply to one specific college, school or program: Carnegie Mellon says you'll apply to a specific college, school or program among its seven colleges and schools. With Early Decision you can apply to only one college within the university. For Regular Decision, Carnegie Mellon's admissions pages do not state how many colleges you may list.
How much does a year at Carnegie Mellon cost in USD?
For first-years entering fall 2026, Carnegie Mellon's 2026-2027 table lists tuition of $69,702 and a total cost of attendance of $93,614 for resident students ($78,620 for commuters). Carnegie Mellon publishes these figures in US dollars, and its fee pages list 2026-2027 and 2025-2026 tables only. Its financial aid page for prospective undergraduates says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs.
Is an Olympiad medal enough to get into SCS?
Carnegie Mellon states that no single grade, score or activity guarantees or disqualifies any candidate, and the School of Computer Science requires an SAT or an ACT score.
What is the Buggy Race and why does CMU have a tartan pattern?
Carnegie Mellon's varsity teams are the Carnegie Mellon Tartans, and Carnegie Mellon sponsors 19 Division III varsity sports teams; it also lists 23 club sports organizations. Schenley Park, which is adjacent to campus, is part of the 3,800 acres of city parks Carnegie Mellon lists.
Who are the most famous Carnegie Mellon alumni?
Carnegie Mellon's About page counts 127,691+ alumni representing 150+ countries, with no year on the page. Its Access & Affordability page lists an average post-graduation salary of $114,704.
When is the Early Decision deadline at Carnegie Mellon?
Carnegie Mellon's plans page prints Early Decision with a deadline of November 2, Regular Decision with January 4 and Regular Decision for the Schools of Drama and Music with December 1, all without a year. The Admission FAQ gives November 3 and January 5 for the first two plans, and another FAQ answer refers to a November 1 Early Decision application deadline. Early Decision is binding and is not available for the School of Drama, BXA Design programs or the School of Music.
What English test score does Carnegie Mellon require?
If English isn't one of your first languages, Carnegie Mellon requires an IELTS Academic overall band of at least 7.5, a TOEFL iBT total of at least 102 for exams taken before Jan. 21, 2026 or 5 on or after that date, a TOEFL Essentials score of at least 11, a Duolingo English Test score of at least 135, or a Cambridge English score of at least 191. The rule is set by first language: the testing page applies it if English isn't one of your first languages.
Does Carnegie Mellon give financial aid to international students?
Carnegie Mellon's financial aid page for prospective undergraduates says only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal and state undergraduate financial aid programs. Carnegie Mellon meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduates who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents. For CMU-Qatar students, merit-based scholarships and need-based grants are available to students of all nationalities.
Does Carnegie Mellon require the SAT or the ACT?
It depends on the college. For the testing policy Carnegie Mellon publishes for fall 2026, the School of Computer Science requires an SAT or an ACT score, the College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Information Systems, Mellon College of Science and Tepper are test flexible, and the College of Fine Arts is test optional with portfolios or auditions. Carnegie Mellon publishes no minimum SAT or ACT score.
Where these numbers come from
Official pages of Carnegie Mellon University, UCAS, gov.uk and the ranking publishers. Applicant reports, where shown, are self-reported and labelled.
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Photos: Hamerschlag Hall and Scott Hall at Carnegie Mellon University: photo Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Carnegie Mellon University campus seen from the Cathedral of Learning: photo Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Gates-Hillman Complex at Carnegie Mellon University: photo Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Cohon University Center at Carnegie Mellon University: photo Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Hunt Library at Carnegie Mellon University, lit at night: photo Daderot, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons