Carnegie Mellon University: University Insights
- The Headmaster Counsulting

- Oct 4, 2023
- 3 min read
About the University

Carnegie Mellon University, abbreviated CMU, is a renowned private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and was initially established as Carnegie Technical Schools before evolving into the Carnegie Institute of Technology and eventually becoming Carnegie Mellon University in 1967. CMU is known for its strong programs in technology, engineering, computer science, business, fine arts, and humanities.
Over the past 10 years, more than 400 startups linked to CMU have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding. Those investment numbers are especially high because of the sheer size of Pittsburgh’s growing autonomous vehicles cluster – including Uber, Aurora, Waymo, and Motional – all of which are here because of their strong ties to CMU.
Overview

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Type: Private Research University
Founded: November 15, 1900; 122 years ago
Tuition: $83,697
Fun Facts

The Fence
Carnegie Mellon also boasts a commonly painted object in the middle of campus: the Fence because the original wooden fence, before its collapse in 1993, was considered the “world’s most painted object” by the Guinness Book of World Records.
John Forbes Nash
Mathematical genius John Forbes Nash, the man in which A Beautiful Mind is based on, was a 1948 graduate of Carnegie Mellon (then called the Carnegie Institute of Technology) and initially majored in Chemical Engineering!
Nobel Laureates
CMU has produced 20 Nobel laureates, including three in economics, and four Turing Award winners.

The Dark Knight Rises
The famous prison break scene in The Dark Knight Rises was filmed outside The Mellon Institute, a key research building of the Chemistry department. Many students who took summer programs would casually see the batmobile stroll down Forbes Avenue, a main street on campus.
Largest Carnival
CMU is home to the largest student-run carnival in the United States, which takes place every spring and attracts thousands of visitors.
Academics
Graduation Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 97%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Admissions
Average SAT | 1500-1560 |
Average ACT | 33-35 |
Average IELTS | 7.5 |
Average TOEFL | 102 |
Application Deadline | January |
College Board Code | 2074 |
Application Requirements

Academic Transcripts
Standardized Tests Scores (Optional)
English Language Proficiency Scores
Letters of Recommendation
Essays
Portfolio (if applicable)
Rankings
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the top private universities in Pittsburgh, United States. It is ranked #52 in QS World University Rankings 2024 and #24 in National Universities by US News.
Majors Available
A
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Applied Economics
Applied and Professional Ethics
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
Architecture
Art/Art Studies, General
Artificial Intelligence
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
Astrophysics
B
Behavioral Sciences
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Biometry/Biometrics
Biophysics
Biopsychology
Biostatistics
Business Administration and Management, General
Business/Managerial Economics
C
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Physics
Chemistry, General
Chinese Language and Literature
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning
Civil Engineering, General
Cognitive Science, General
Computational Biology
Computational Mathematics
Computational Science
Computer Graphics
Computer Science
Computer Software Engineering
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
Construction Engineering
Costume Design
Creative Writing
D
Design and Visual Communications, General
Digital Arts
Directing and Theatrical Production
Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
E
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
Economics, General
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
Engineering Design
Engineering Mechanics
Engineering Science
Engineering, General
Engineering/Industrial Management
English Language and Literature, General
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
F
Finance, General
Financial Mathematics
French Language and Literature
G
Game and Interactive Media Design
General Studies
German Language and Literature
H
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
History, General
Human Computer Interaction
I
Industrial and Product Design
Information Technology
Information Technology Project Management
International Business/Trade/Commerce
International Relations and Affairs
International/Globalization Studies
J
Japanese Language and Literature
L
Language Interpretation and Translation
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Linguistics
Logic
M
Management Information Systems, General
Manufacturing Engineering
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Materials Science
Mathematical Statistics and Probability
Mathematics, General
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Metallurgical Engineering
Music Pedagogy
Music Performance, General
Music Technology
Music Theory and Composition
Music, General
N
Neurobiology and Anatomy
Neuroscience
Nuclear Engineering
O
Operations Management and Supervision
Operations Research
Organizational Behavior Studies
P
Philosophy
Physical Sciences, General
Physics, General
Playwriting and Screenwriting
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
Psychology, General
Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis
R
Rhetoric and Composition
Russian Studies
S
Science, Technology and Society
Spanish Language and Literature
Statistics, General
Stringed Instruments
Sustainability Studies
Systems Science and Theory
T
Technical Theater/Theater Design and Technology
Telecommunications Management
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management
Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
V
Voice and Opera
The Headmaster Student Experience
"CMU has been an enriching journey for me, offering a unique blend of arts and sciences that fosters creativity and innovation. The plethora of research opportunities, emphasis on practical application, and entrepreneurial spirit are some standout features and something to look forward to, enabling you to explore your interests. CMU's vibrant student life, diverse community, and inspiring campus contribute to a well-rounded experience, although the workload can be demanding at times!"
Headmaster Student
Famous Alumni
Sources
“40 Interesting Facts about Carnegie Mellon University - World’s Facts.” World’s Facts - Facts about Things in the World. 13 Mar. 2023. Web. 25 Sept. 2023.
“Carnegie Mellon University.” BigFuture. n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2023.
“Carnegie Mellon University.” Top Universities. n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2023.
Ryan KwokRyan is from Hong Kong. He did some stuff at IBM. “10 Fun Facts about Carnegie Mellon University.” AdmitSee. 17 Sept. 2021. Web. 25 Sept. 2023.

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