Carnegie Mellon University Admission
Application Fee
$75
Graduate Application Fee
$75
Acceptance Rate
11.00%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
44.01%
Freshmen Enrollment
1,716
SAT Scores
1,540
For the 2022-2023 admission, a total of 34,261 students have applied and 3,873 students have allowed to admit to Carnegie Mellon University (Acceptance rate: 11.30%). CMU's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 44.31 % where 1,716 students have finally enrolled out of 3,873 admitted students.
CMU acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Pennsylvania. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Rice University and Vanderbilt University, its acceptance rate is higher (easy to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 9.33%).
CMU enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Pennsylvania. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is average (average yield is 54.17%).
How to Apply to Carnegie Mellon University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply CMU. CMU offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/ |
|---|---|
| Online Application | admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/apply-now |
| Financial Aid | admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/financial-aid |
| Net Price Calculator | admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/financial-aid-estimator |
| Veterans Tuition | www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/veterans-benefits/ |
| Disability Service | www.cmu.edu/hr/resources/hr-partners/disability.html |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at CMU and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2023, the average SAT score at Carnegie Mellon University is 1,540 and the average ACT score is 35. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Carnegie Mellon University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,527). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | 1,540 | 35 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,527 | 34 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Pennsylvania | 1,157 | 73 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Carnegie Mellon University, 867 students submitted SAT scores (51% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,540 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Pennsylvania. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 720 | 750 | 770 |
| Mathematics | 770 | 790 | 800 |
| Total | 1,490 | 1,540 | 1,570 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: December 11, 2023)
At Carnegie Mellon University, 338 students submitted ACT scores (20% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 35 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Pennsylvania. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 33 | 35 | 36 |
| Mathematics | 34 | 35 | 35 |
CMU Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Carnegie Mellon University. The school requires 7 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Recommendations, Formal demonstration of competencies, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Legacy status.
3 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school rank, Admission test scores, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Required |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |