Carnegie Mellon University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Carnegie Mellon students was $62,260 a year.

Tuition increased 4% in 2023–from $59,864 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Carnegie Mellon University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Carnegie Mellon University is around $56,256 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $30,334 of debt.

Does Carnegie Mellon University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Pennsylvania as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Is Carnegie Mellon University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Carnegie Mellon University is the same for every student.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Carnegie Mellon University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Carnegie Mellon University.

Room and Board Costs at Carnegie Mellon University

Housing and campus dining at Carnegie Mellon University is $17,468 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $8,900.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Carnegie Mellon University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Carnegie Mellon University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Carnegie Mellon University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is usually pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Carnegie Mellon University campus is located in a city in Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburgh.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for Carnegie Mellon University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Carnegie Mellon University.

Total Cost of Carnegie Mellon University

What will the cost of attending Carnegie Mellon University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$62,260
Room and Board	$17,468
Board Only	$6,758
Other expenses	$1,400

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$82,142
Off-Campus	$71,432

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Carnegie Mellon University

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In 2023, 2,657 of the 7,509 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Carnegie Mellon University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $56,256 a year. Around 34.47% of Carnegie Mellon University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Carnegie Mellon University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,334 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$19,580
Carnegie Mellon University-Specific Loans	$7,500
Private Loans	$59,354

Most Common Loans for Carnegie Mellon University Students
Federal Loans	33.31%
Institutional Loans	0.31%
Private loans	6.59%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Carnegie Mellon University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Carnegie Mellon University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Carnegie Mellon University awarded 2,608 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $129.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $19.52 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Carnegie Mellon University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Carnegie Mellon University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Carnegie Mellon University was $56,256 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Carnegie Mellon University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$25,886
Off-Campus	$15,176

What will attending Carnegie Mellon University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Carnegie Mellon University's net cost calculator on their website.

Carnegie Mellon University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Carnegie Mellon University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Carnegie Mellon University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Carnegie Mellon Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Carnegie Mellon has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Carnegie Mellon University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Carnegie Mellon University's endowment was $2.1 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Carnegie Mellon University spends about $34,441 a year.

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Learn More About Carnegie Mellon University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

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