Carnegie Mellon University
#1 Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual- Graduation Rate
- 93% A+
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $114,862 A+
- Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $31,944 F
- 86% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 12% A+
- Rejects about 88 of every 100 applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 19.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual.
Every $1 spent returns $19.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,402,231.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 182% more than the national college median.
-
A 93% graduation rate — 63% above the national average.
-
Inventor rate in the top 3% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
A top feeder school for 3 major employers.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 7.5%
- Top 3%
- Patents
- 837
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #20
- Times Higher Education
- Employer Pipelines
- 3
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 1,126
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 79/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Carnegie Mellon University Matters
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, PA ranked #20 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity, a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,304
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Carnegie Mellon University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 12% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1500–1570. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,944 a year after grants and scholarships — 86% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $114,862 ten years after enrolling — 182% above the typical college, against $21,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 23% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.83 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Carnegie Mellon University is a great fit for students who are ready to dive into rigorous academic programs. This school attracts those passionate about fields like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. The blend of technical and creative disciplines, including Visual and Performing Arts, creates a unique environment where students can thrive while exploring their varied interests.
Life after graduation at Carnegie Mellon looks promising. Graduates can expect to earn an impressive average of $114,862 within ten years of completing their degrees. This strong earning potential is crucial for students weighing their options, as it reflects the value of the education they receive here. With a graduation rate of 93%, it’s clear that students are not only getting in but are also navigating their studies successfully.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is around $31,944, which can feel daunting but is manageable compared to potential earnings. The median debt for graduates stands at $21,750, suggesting that many students are able to graduate with a reasonable level of debt. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are dedicated, ambitious, and ready to engage deeply with their chosen fields.
Rankings
- #1 Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual
- #1 Highest-Paying Colleges for Graphic Design
- #1 Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #1 Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #1 Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #2 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Carnegie Mellon University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carnegie Mellon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University sets a competitive bar: about 12% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,546. The graduation rate is roughly 93%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 12%
- Retention Rate
- 98%
- SAT Average
- 1546
- ACT Midpoint
- 34
- SAT Range
- 1500–1570
- ACT Range
- 34–35
- Full-Time Faculty
- 92%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,972
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.78
- First-Gen Students
- 10%
- Applicants
- 34,261
- Admitted
- 3,873
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carnegie Mellon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carnegie Mellon University is $66,246, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,944. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,097 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $66,246
- Out-of-State
- $66,246
- Avg Net Price
- $31,944
- Median Debt
- $21,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,097
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,994
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,468
- Family Income $110K+
- $51,480
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Carnegie Mellon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $114,862, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $105,360
- 8 Years
- $105,524
- 10 Years
- $114,862
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.19x
- Earning > $25K
- 85%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,171)
- 80%
- 100% (1,171)
- 80%
- 100% (1,171)
- 80%
- 100% (1,171)
- 80%
Where Grads Go
Carnegie Mellon University is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Carnegie Mellon University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How Carnegie Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Carnegie Mellon University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Carnegie Mellon University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,944/year ($127,776 total). Graduates earn $114,862 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,530,007 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,402,231 (19.8× your investment). The median debt is $21,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 93% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $127,776
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,530,007
- Net Return
- $2,402,231
- ROI Multiple
- 19.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,944
- Median Debt
- $21,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Carnegie Mellon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carnegie Mellon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.19%, among the highest in the country. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 53.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $134,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.19%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 53.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $134,400
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Carnegie Mellon University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Carnegie Mellon University at #20 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 79/100, teaching at 70/100, and citation impact of 96/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #20
- Teaching
- 70.3
- Research
- 79.3
- Citations
- 95.7
- International
- 39.1
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Carnegie Mellon University produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 3% of U.S. colleges, with 837 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 79/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 7.53%
- Top 3% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 837
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1,126
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 79/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 96/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 54/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 3.57%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-101,015,230
Top Programs
The fields Carnegie Mellon University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Engineering 23%
- Computer Science & IT 18%
- Mathematics & Statistics 12%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Physical Sciences 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Social Sciences 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Carnegie Mellon University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carnegie Mellon University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University sets a competitive bar: about 12% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,546. The graduation rate is roughly 93%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carnegie Mellon University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carnegie Mellon University is $66,246, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,944. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,097 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,750 in federal student loans.
Is Carnegie Mellon University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $114,862, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Carnegie Mellon University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carnegie Mellon University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.19%, among the highest in the country. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 53.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $134,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Carnegie Mellon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carnegie Mellon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Carnegie Mellon University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Carnegie Mellon University at #20 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 79/100, teaching at 70/100, and citation impact of 96/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Carnegie Mellon University.
- Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer95% grad $103,494 earn 13% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer97% grad $111,371 earn 5% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Close peer96% grad $100,533 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Duke UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer96% grad $97,800 earn 6% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA · Close peer89% grad $105,584 earn 26% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Close peer93% grad $83,214 earn 11% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Carnegie Mellon University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carnegie Mellon University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note