Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
How selective is it?
Carnegie Mellon University is in our Most Selective tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Estimates range ~11-12%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use Carnegie Mellon University in your college list
Treat this as a reach for nearly every applicant, even with top grades and test scores. Apply because the school fits you, not because you expect to get in, and balance it with several schools in lower tiers. Review at these schools is typically holistic, so essays, activities, and recommendations carry real weight.
Building a list across tiers? See all 14 Pennsylvania colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
Carnegie Mellon University is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Graphic Design, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Communication Studies.
Check the current numbers yourself
For Carnegie Mellon University's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA · Most Selective
- UC BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · Most Selective
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · Highly Selective
- Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Most Selective
- Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA · Most Selective
- New York UniversityNew York, NY · Most Selective
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Carnegie Mellon University?+
Carnegie Mellon University sits in our "Most Selective" tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Estimates range ~11-12%.
Is Carnegie Mellon University hard to get into?+
Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check Carnegie Mellon University's own admissions data for the current year.
What is Carnegie Mellon University known for?+
Carnegie Mellon University is widely recognized for strengths in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Business, Arts, Media & Design. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find Carnegie Mellon University's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "Carnegie Mellon University Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is Carnegie Mellon University?+
Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University. Always confirm details with the school.