C
#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon Admission Requirements

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 0 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Carnegie Mellon University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

13.5%
Admission Difficulty for Carnegie Mellon University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Carnegie Mellon is 13.5%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Pennsylvania and the 45th lowest 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. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 4,453 out of the 32,896 who applied were admitted.

The school has exceptionally high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 2 percent on standardized admission tests. Carnegie Mellon University typically accepts and 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. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Carnegie Mellon?

14% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Carnegie Mellon University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.89 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1520 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Carnegie Mellon GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.89

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Carnegie Mellon University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Carnegie Mellon are to have around a 3.89 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Carnegie Mellon is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Carnegie Mellon is 3.89 on the 4.0 scale. 44% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Carnegie Mellon is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Carnegie Mellon University students
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 chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Carnegie Mellon SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Carnegie Mellon University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 48% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1480-1560

Applicants Submitting SAT 

48%
SAT Scores for Carnegie Mellon University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 710
Math 25th Percentile 770
Composite 25th Percentile 1480
SAT Scores for Carnegie Mellon University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 760
Math 75th Percentile 800
Composite 75th Percentile 1560
Average SAT Score 1520

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Carnegie Mellon University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Carnegie Mellon is 1520 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1480-1560. Students who get into Carnegie Mellon University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers..  Carnegie Mellon ranks #2 in the state of Pennsylvania and #15 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1520 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Carnegie Mellon regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1480 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1480, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1440, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Carnegie Mellon University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1520, you have around a 14% chance of being admitted. A 1560 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 24% chance of getting in.

Carnegie Mellon University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1560 and Above Good >24%
1520 to 1560 Avg + 14%-24%
1480 to 1520 Avg - 8%-14%
1440 to 1480 Reach 4%-8%
Less than 1440 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

Carnegie Mellon ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

33-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

22%
ACT Scores for Carnegie Mellon University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 34
Math 25th Percentile 33
Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Scores for Carnegie Mellon University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 36
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Carnegie Mellon?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Carnegie Mellon is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #1 in Pennsylvania and #19 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Carnegie Mellon University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Carnegie Mellon University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Carnegie Mellon for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 14% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 24% with a 35 ACT score.

Carnegie Mellon University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >24%
34 to 35 Avg + 14%-24%
33 to 34 Avg - 8%-14%
32 to 33 Reach 4%-8%
Less than 32 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Carnegie Mellon University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 13,018 19,878 32,896
Accepted 2,331 2,122 4,453
Acceptance Rate 18% 11% 14%
Enrolled 984 912 1,896
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 42% 43% 43%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2024

Days left to Apply

93

Applicants have 93 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2024.

Application Fee

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

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
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Considered but not required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Required

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Carnegie Mellon University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Carnegie Mellon is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.89 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1520 on the SAT and optimally 1560 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 34 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Carnegie Mellon University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211440 IPEDS survey data for Carnegie Mellon University.

FAQs

Does Carnegie Mellon University prefer SAT or ACT?

48% of students submit their SAT scores to Carnegie Mellon. 22% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Carnegie Mellon University?

14% of those who apply are granted admission to Carnegie Mellon. Admission competition is very high and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Carnegie Mellon University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1480 and 1560. The average SAT score is 1520. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Carnegie Mellon University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. The average ACT score is 34. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.