Pittsburgh, PA · Private Nonprofit

Carnegie Mellon University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Carnegie Mellon University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Strong value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$83,654
Net Price$31,944
Median Earnings$114,862
Graduation Rate94.1%
Median Debt$20,250
Admission Rate11.7%
Student Count7,304
SAT Average1,546

Carnegie Mellon University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $31,944
Money available $0
Still needed per year $31,944
Monthly gap $2,662

Four-year projection: about $127,776 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $20,250.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$114,862Total cost$83,654Net price$31,944Median debt$20,250

Value Score Comparison

Carnegie Mellon University72.1Dataset avg54.3PA avg54.5
Median earnings105% better than dataset average
$114,862
Total annual cost93% weaker than dataset average
$83,654
Average net price49% weaker than dataset average
$31,944
Graduation rate37.3 percentage points better than dataset average
94.1%
Median debt25% weaker than dataset average
$20,250

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

PA Average

Value Score: 54.5

Net Price: $26,030

Earnings: $61,217

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $31,944, compared with reported total cost of $83,654.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $114,862 and the graduation rate is 94.1%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $20,250, while the loan share is 33.6%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 11.7% and Pell Grant share is 16%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationPittsburgh, PA
Admission Rate11.7%
In-State Tuition$66,246
Out-of-State Tuition$66,246
Total Cost$83,654
Net Price$31,944
Median Earnings$114,862
Graduation Rate94.1%
Median Debt$20,250
Pell Grant Share16%
Loan Share33.6%
Average Faculty Salary$13,972
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.5 + net price 4.4 + total cost 0.0 + debt 4.2 = 72.1/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings40.0$114,862 · max 40 pts
Graduation23.594.1% · max 25 pts
Net Price4.4$31,944 · max 15 pts
Total Cost0.0$83,654 · max 10 pts
Debt4.2$20,250 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.