Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh, PA · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R1 research university

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1500–1570
    Median ~1540
    Acceptance rate
    12%
    Enrollment
    7,304
    ACT middle 50%
    34–35

    How Carnegie Mellon compares

    • The ~1540 SAT midpoint ranks #4 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #2 of 12 in PA.
    • Its 12% acceptance rate is more selective than 94% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
    • Reported section midpoints skew 50 points toward Math (790 Math vs 740 Reading and Writing).
    • Median earnings 10 years after entry ($114,862) are $51,796 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
    National SAT rank
    #4 of 197
    SAT rank in PA
    #2 of 12
    More selective than
    94% of ranked colleges
    Earnings vs national median
    +$51,796

    What the numbers say about Carnegie Mellon

    • The reported middle 50% spans 70 points, from 1500 to 1570. A planning score near or above 1600 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 740 Reading and Writing and 790 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 12% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 94% completion rate and $114,862 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1540 SAT scorePlan for a 1600Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $66,246
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $66,246
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $114,862
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    94%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1500 and 1570. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1600 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1570 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1540 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1500 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    At or above 1570

    Strong relative score

    At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

    1500–1560

    Within the reported range

    Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

    Below 1500

    Below the reported range

    Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to Carnegie Mellon's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ1510–15805%
    University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA1510–15705%
    Stanford UniversityStanford, CA1510–15804%
    Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA1490–15607%
    Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO1500–157012%
    Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME1470–15507%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for Carnegie Mellon?

    Carnegie Mellon University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1500–1570, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1600 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is Carnegie Mellon's acceptance rate?

    Carnegie Mellon University's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 12%.

    How much does it cost to attend Carnegie Mellon?

    Published tuition is approximately $66,246 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

    Is Carnegie Mellon test-optional?

    Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check Carnegie Mellon University's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

    Official site: www.cmu.edu