Carnegie Mellon University fees for the 2023 academic year are approximately $60,000 USD in tuition, with additional living expenses estimated to be around $16,000 USD. This brings the total annual cost to approximately $76,000 USD, which converts to roughly ₹6,232,000 INR. This makes Carnegie Mellon University a significant investment for students, but the value of its education and opportunities is highly regarded worldwide.
Founded in 1900 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a vibrant city known for its dining, entertainment, and professional sports. The university, which has a campus size of 155 acres, enrolls around 7,022 undergraduate students. Carnegie Mellon is ranked #26 in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges and is renowned for its programs in science, technology, and engineering.
Although freshmen are required to live on campus, Carnegie Mellon guarantees housing for all four years, and most students choose to stay on campus. The university also boasts a strong Greek life presence, with over 20 fraternities and sororities. The Carnegie Mellon Tartans compete in NCAA Division III, and the Kiltie Band, clad in full Scottish regalia, performs at home football games.
Carnegie Mellon’s exceptional programs in fields like Electrical & Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering consistently rank among the best in the country, making it an excellent choice for students aiming for a future in top-tier industries.
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Know in detail about Carnegie Mellon University’s popular programs
- MBA (Full Time)
- PhD In Biomedical Engineering (Direct Entry)
- PhD In Materials Science & Engineering
- MS In Mechanical Engineering
- MS In Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
- BS In Human Computer Interaction
Carnegie Mellon University Acceptance Rate
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Overall acceptance: CMU is highly selective—recent admit rates around 11–12%, with 33.7 K applications and ~3.9 K admits for the Class of 2026 (~11%)
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By program (Class of 2024):
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College of Fine Arts: Architecture 34%, Art 23%, Design 11%, Drama 4%, Music 31%
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Dietrich (Humanities): 26%
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Engineering: 20%
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Information Systems: 24%
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Mellon College of Science: 22%
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School of Computer Science: 7%
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Tepper Business: 23%
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Early Decision (ED I): ~20% acceptance, compared to ~11% Regular Decision
Carnegie Mellon University Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements
1. High School Diploma & Course Rigor
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A diploma or equivalent (GED) required
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Rigorous prep is essential: average admitted GPA ~3.9, nearly straight A’s with advanced coursework (AP/IB)
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Specific CMU college requirements (e.g. Engineering: 4 years math including calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, languages; Fine Arts and others have tailored prerequisites)
2. Standardized Testing
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Test-optional policy in place; most admitted students submit SAT (~1500–1560) or ACT (~34–35), enhancing competitiveness
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Report all SAT scores (“All Scores” policy), but ACT you can choose which to send
3. Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
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Common App + CMU writing supplement (3 short answers)
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Teacher + counselor recommendations,
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Official transcript,
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$75 fee (waivers available)
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For non-native English speakers: TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo.
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Certain colleges (Fine Arts, Drama, Music, Architecture) require portfolios, auditions, or prescreens
4. Holistic Review
CMU emphasizes:
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Academic rigor, GPA, class rank
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Extracurriculars, talents, work/volunteer experience
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Essays, recommendations, personal qualities
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Context: school, background, first-gen/legal status
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