Carnegie Mellon's published cost of attendance reaches $80,514 per year, including $63,829 in tuition, $17,468 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $31,671 after financial aid, representing savings of $48,843 from the sticker price.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $80,514 |
| Tuition and Fees | $63,829 |
| Room and Board | $17,468 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$48,843 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $31,671 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $8,460 |
| $30–48k | $12,600 |
| $48–75k | $17,534 |
| $75–110k | $27,827 |
| $110k+ | $52,593 |
Carnegie Mellon's published cost of attendance reaches $80,514 per year, including $63,829 in tuition, $17,468 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $31,671 after financial aid, representing savings of $48,843 from the sticker price. This net price exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $4,528, reflecting the premium typical of highly selective private institutions. The institution's financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income level.
Net prices range from $8,460 for families earning under $30,000 to $52,593 for those earning over $110,000, creating a $44,133 spread between the lowest and highest income tiers. This progressive aid structure concentrates the largest subsidies toward lower-income families while requiring higher-income families to pay closer to full cost. For middle-income families earning $48,000-$75,000, the net price reaches $17,534, representing substantial aid relative to the full cost of attendance.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Carnegie Mellon graduates carry median debt of $21,750, slightly below the peer median of $24,181, resulting in a favorable comparison of $2,431 less debt than typical institutions. Debt levels range from $14,000 at the 25th percentile to $30,750 at the 75th percentile, indicating variation in borrowing patterns across students.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 represents manageable levels relative to graduates' $114,862 median earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing reaches a median of $35,347 with monthly payments of $465, reflecting additional family investment in Carnegie Mellon education beyond student borrowing. The combination of controlled student debt levels and strong earnings outcomes creates favorable conditions for loan repayment.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Carnegie Mellon delivers strong return on educational investment despite higher net costs than peer institutions. Graduates earn $10,270 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking well above average at the 86.0th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings of $114,862 exceed the peer median by $51,796, representing an 82% earnings premium that substantially outweighs the $4,528 net price premium. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 indicates sustainable borrowing levels relative to post-graduation income. With graduates ranking among the top 5% nationally for median earnings while carrying below-peer debt levels, Carnegie Mellon demonstrates exceptional value creation.
The institution's return index performance at the 99.0th percentile reflects this combination of strong earnings and controlled debt levels, positioning it among the highest-performing institutions for long-term financial outcomes.
Carnegie Mellon enrolls 15.2% Pell-eligible students, indicating moderate participation by lower-income families typical of highly selective private institutions. The substantial gap between the $80,514 sticker price and $31,671 average net price demonstrates significant institutional aid investment.
Net price variation across income tiers shows concentrated aid toward families earning under $75,000, with more limited assistance for higher-income households. The institution's aid strategy appears designed to make attendance feasible for admitted lower-income students while requiring higher contributions from families with greater financial capacity. Net prices exceeding peer medians by $4,528 suggest that Carnegie Mellon commands a premium in the marketplace, likely reflecting its strong post-graduation outcomes and program reputation.
The aid concentration toward Pell-eligible students helps support the institution's 15.2% low-income enrollment despite challenging affordability at full price.
Students should note that debt levels vary significantly by program choice and family financial circumstances, with some students borrowing substantially more than the median depending on aid eligibility and program duration.
