Carnegie Mellon Admission Requirements

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Pittsburgh, PA
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Carnegie Mellon Admission Overview

Carnegie Mellon admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Pennsylvania. Last year Carnegie Mellon admitted 11.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.89 GPA (A) and SAT 1500-1570 / ACT 34-35. Carnegie Mellon is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carnegie Mellon is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.cmu.edu/admission/standardized-testing

Carnegie Mellon Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

11.7%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Carnegie Mellon acceptance rate is 11.7%. Last year, only 3,959 of 33,941 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania and the 43rd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Carnegie Mellon and can you get accepted?

Carnegie Mellon is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Carnegie Mellon University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.89. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carnegie Mellon GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.89

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.89

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Carnegie Mellon typically have around a 3.89 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.89 average does not by itself determine admission. Carnegie Mellon is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

44% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #4 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Carnegie Mellon University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	44.5%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	40.1%	Avg -
3.50 to 3.74	11.5%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	2.4%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	0.8%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.1%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Reach
less than 1.00	0%	Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Carnegie Mellon Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Carnegie Mellon University does not require SAT or ACT scores from every first-year applicant. Testing rules depend on the college you apply to. The School of Computer Science requires an SAT or ACT score. The College of Engineering, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mellon College of Science, Tepper School of Business, and Heinz College's Information Systems program are test-flexible: you must submit testing, but you may send SAT, ACT, AP, IB, Cambridge A-Level, or French Baccalaureate results. The College of Fine Arts is test-optional and requires a portfolio or audition. Students who send SAT results may superscore; Carnegie Mellon does not accept ACT superscores. Self-reported scores are allowed, and official reports are required only if you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.cmu.edu/admission/standardized-testing

Carnegie Mellon SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1500-1570

Freshmen who sent SAT

53%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 730
Math 770
Composite 1500

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 800
Composite 1570

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Carnegie Mellon typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1500–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Carnegie Mellon ranks #2 in the state of Pennsylvania and #19 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1500 to 1570

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1500–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Carnegie Mellon is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Carnegie Mellon University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1570+	Above 75th	>21%
1540 to 1570	Avg +	13%-21%
1500 to 1540	Avg -	7%-13%
Below 1500	Below mid-50	<7%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Carnegie Mellon ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

English 33
Math 34
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Carnegie Mellon typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Carnegie Mellon places #2 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #30 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Carnegie Mellon without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Carnegie Mellon University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>33%
34 to 35	Avg +	12%-33%
34 to 34	Avg -	12%-12%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

89% of Carnegie Mellon University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Carnegie Mellon University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	88.9%
Top 25% of class	99.5%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Carnegie Mellon chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Carnegie Mellon University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	12,734	20,143	33,941
Accepted	1,870	1,973	3,959
Acceptance Rate	15%	10%	12%
Enrolled	780	974	1,808
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	42%	49%	46%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Carnegie Mellon University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Carnegie Mellon University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Carnegie Mellon University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Carnegie Mellon University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Carnegie Mellon is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 11.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.89 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1500-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025