School Profile: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

6,539 undergraduates of 7,034 total students

School Website


Private

4 Year

City

Large

How to Understand School Data

Costs

Average Annual Cost

The average total cost of attending school for the most recent year.

The "out of pocket" cost of attending school after the student has received any financial aid that does not need to be repaid (grants and scholarships). This figure is comprehensive and includes expenses such as:

  • Tuition: $58,810
  • Books and Supplies: $1,000
  • Campus Housing: $15,550
  • Other Expenses: $1,400

As you can see, the average student who receives financial aid pays substantially less than the "sticker price."

$36,775

per year

School Net Price Calculator

Cost by Family Income

The average annual cost based on family income.

The average annual cost based on family income.
Family Income Average Annual Cost
$0-$30,000 $16,456
$30,001-$48,000 $13,608
$48,001-$75,000 $21,526
$75,001-$110,000 $31,094
$110,001+ $52,564

Student Success

Graduation Rate

High graduation rates are a sign of student success.

A low graduation rate may burden people with student loan debt without the increased earning power of a college degree.
88% of students graduate within eight years.

Retention Rate

The percentage of students returning after year one.

A high retention rate is a general indicator that student financial and academic needs are being met. The national average retention rate is around 81% for four-year schools and 63% for two-year schools.
96% of students return after their first year.

Average 10 Year Salary

The average salaries of employed alumni 10 years after enrollment.

$103,000

annual salary

Popular Majors

The top majors and starting salaries of employed graduates.

Computer Science
$160,116
Electrical, Electronics and Communications...
$114,223
Statistics
$88,506
Business Administration, Management and...
$80,196
Mechanical Engineering
$75,921

Systems Science and Theory
$84,393
Chemical Engineering
$75,432
Economics
$69,338
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
$60,161
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
$25,194
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$94,408
Design and Applied Arts
$89,859
Architecture
$53,775
Civil Engineering
$60,094
Materials Sciences
$47,260
Psychology, General
$29,685
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
$42,682
Chemistry
$57,318
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies...
$39,927
Fine and Studio Arts
$20,140
Philosophy
$49,683
Finance and Financial Management Services
$95,295

Admissions

Standardized Test Scores

SAT and ACT scores of admitted students.

SAT Reading

800 700 760

SAT Math

800 760 800

ACT

36 33 35

Acceptance Rate

The percentage of first-time applicants who were admitted.

17%

Financial Aid Debt

The figures below exclude possible loans from non-government lenders.

Students with Federal Loans

The percentage of students with federal aid.

40%

Student Federal Loan Debt

Lowest to highest based on field of study.

$15,779 - $26,971

$158 - $270 per month for 10 years

Parent PLUS Loans

Up to 10% of parents borrow federal loans.

$46,595

$524 per month for 10 years

Default Rate

The percentage of students who default on federal loans within three years.

Most federal student loans are in default if no payments have been made in 270 days. Default is a serious situation with substantial negative consequences for the borrower. A high default rate may indicate that students aren't earning enough to repay their loans or that schools are not educating students on loan repayment options (there are options to avoid default regardless of income). The national average default rate is approximately 7%.

< 1%

Student Body

Socio-Economic Diversity

The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant.

14%

of students

Enrollment Status

The percentage of undergraduates who are enrolled on a full-time schedule.

97% / 3%

Full-time / Part-time
6,539 total

Race/Ethnicity

The proportion of students in specific race/ethnicity categories.

35% Asian
25% White
16% Non-resident alien
9% Hispanic
7% Unknown
4% Black
4% Two or more races
College Explorer

Data is sourced from United States Department of Education's College Scorecard.