CollegeCalcAI
Highly selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Carnegie Mellon University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pennsylvania with a 11% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Pennsylvania schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
11%
Highly selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1550
of admitted students
Type
Private
Pennsylvania
Selectivity in state
#3
of 62 in PA
Get your real chances at Carnegie Mellon University
CollegeCalcAI computes a personalized acceptance estimate from your GPA, scores, and activities. Free, no account.
Open the calculator

What Carnegie Mellon University looks for

What Carnegie Mellon University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Carnegie Mellon University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Carnegie Mellon University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Carnegie Mellon University compares in Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University ranks #3 most selective of 62 schools in Pennsylvania in our database.

University of Pennsylvania
6%acceptance · PA
Swarthmore College
9%acceptance · PA
Haverford College
13%acceptance · PA
Villanova University
23%acceptance · PA
Franklin & Marshall College
25%acceptance · PA
Lafayette College
30%acceptance · PA
Bryn Mawr College
30%acceptance · PA
Bucknell University
32%acceptance · PA
See all Pennsylvania schools →

Similar to Carnegie Mellon University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Tulane University
11%acceptance · LA
Washington University in St. Louis
11%acceptance · MO
Georgetown University
12%acceptance · DC
University of Notre Dame
12%acceptance · IN
University of Southern California
12%acceptance · CA
Colby College
10%acceptance · ME

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Carnegie Mellon University?

Carnegie Mellon University has a 11% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective — it turns away most applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1550. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Carnegie Mellon University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Carnegie Mellon University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Carnegie Mellon University?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Carnegie Mellon University in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Carnegie Mellon University chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.