Pittsburgh, PA · 7.3k students
Trajecta score
+2.4 since '20Ranked #37 of 2,375
5-year trend
76.7 · #40
2020
76.3 · #68
2021
77.5 · #65
2022
78.7 · #56
2023
79.1 · #52
2024
Academic Profile
92/ 100
Career Outcomes
94/ 100
Student Success
94/ 100
Affordability
49/ 100
Academic Investment
95/ 100
Access & Equity
27/ 100
Academic Profile
92
Career Outcomes
94
Student Success
94
Affordability
49
Academic Investment
95
Access & Equity
27
AI Fit Analysis
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See how your profile stacks up at Carnegie Mellon University — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
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Cost / Net Price
$84k / $32k
SAT Avg
1,546
Retention
98%
Grad Rate
93%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$66,246
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$66,246
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
16%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
34%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$21,750
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.89
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 98% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Carnegie Mellon University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Very Important | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Very Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Very Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Important | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Not Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Very Important | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2025-26
school's admissions site ↗Writing Supplement Question 1
Required300 wordsMost students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that's developed over time — what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study?
Writing Supplement Question 2
Required300 wordsMany students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience?
Writing Supplement Question 3
Required300 wordsConsider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee's consideration? Highlight something that's important to you or something you haven't had a chance to share. Tell us, don't show us (no websites please).
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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