Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Carnegie Mellon vary significantly by field of study, from exceptionally high-earning technical programs to more moderate-earning arts and humanities fields. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation alone.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and identify programs that align with your career and financial goals.
Analyzing 26 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at Carnegie Mellon.
#1 nationally
$268K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Carnegie Mellon University.
Engineering and technology programs at Carnegie Mellon consistently rank among the nation's strongest, with multiple programs achieving top 5 national rankings. Computer Science leads with $247,552 median earnings and ranks #2 nationally, while Electrical Engineering produces $149,740 earnings and ranks #4 nationally.
These programs demonstrate exceptional return on investment with value scores consistently above 90. Students pursuing this path typically achieve the highest earnings potential available at Carnegie Mellon.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #1 🏆 |
Program outcomes vary significantly even within the same institution due to differences in career pathways, industry demand, and skill development. Rankings reflect labor-market results based on federal College Scorecard data, not academic reputation or program prestige. Earnings represent median income ten years after graduation for students with sufficient federal aid to be tracked. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates included in earnings calculations, with larger cohorts providing greater statistical confidence. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates into a single metric. Programs require minimum cohort sizes of 10 graduates to be included in federal reporting.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
recent graduates
| — |
| 255 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | #1 🏆 | $250,168 | — | 166 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | #4 | $187,437 | — | 100 |
| Chemical Engineering. | #19 | $110,378 | — | 44 |
| Engineering, General.Small sample | #6 | $110,208 | — | 19 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | #8 | $109,648 | — | 65 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #45 | $105,623 | $59,961 | 113 |
| Civil Engineering. | #2 | $105,199 | — | 34 |
Business programs at Carnegie Mellon achieve exceptional national recognition and strong earnings outcomes. Business Administration ranks #2 nationally with median earnings of $123,200 and a value score of 99.7.
Applied Economics ranks #50 nationally with $94,093 earnings, reflecting the institution's strength in quantitative business education. These programs are well-suited for students seeking high-earning careers in finance, consulting, and technology-focused business roles.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | #1 🏆 | $160,783 | — | 138 |
Mathematical Statistics stands as Carnegie Mellon's top-ranked program nationally, achieving #1 with median earnings of $142,883 and a perfect value score of 100.0. Materials Chemistry provides additional depth in the physical sciences with $68,634 earnings.
This group demonstrates the institution's strength in quantitative disciplines and appeals to students seeking analytical careers in technology, finance, and research sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics. | #2 | $156,743★ | — | 189 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other. | #1 🏆 | $145,741 | — | 33 |
| Materials Sciences. | #1 🏆 | $119,715 | — | 33 |
| Chemistry. | #113 | $57,318 | — | 29 |
Social Sciences & Policy graduates earn 114K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | #12 | $144,886★ | — | 55 |
| Psychology, General. | #2 | $82,433 | — | 33 |
Arts programs at Carnegie Mellon show dramatic variation in outcomes, from exceptionally high-earning specialties to more traditional liberal arts earnings. Commercial Photography achieves #1 national ranking with $126,932 earnings and perfect value scores, while Acting produces $25,846 earnings.
Art History ranks near the bottom nationally with $20,140 earnings. Students should carefully evaluate specific program outcomes within this diverse category.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | #1 🏆 | $138,588★ | — | 31 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | #7 | $71,205 | — | 21 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | #73 | $62,027 | — | 26 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | #11 | $53,726 | — | 33 |
| Philosophy.Small sample | #54 | $49,683 | — | 17 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | #45 | $40,073 | — | 53 |
| Music. | #159 | $23,666 | — | 27 |
Systems Science and Theory represents Carnegie Mellon's strength in interdisciplinary technical education, achieving #1 national ranking with $118,034 median earnings and perfect value scores. Architectural Sciences produces more moderate earnings of $48,514 while ranking #17 nationally.
These programs reflect the institution's innovative approach to combining multiple disciplines for specialized career preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Science.Small sample | #1 🏆 | $162,106★ | — | 17 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | #1 🏆 | $146,929 | — | 118 |
| Architecture.Small sample | — | $73,439 | — | 9 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | #21 | $48,514 | — | 36 |
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
