Carnegie Mellon ranks at the 99.0th percentile for return on investment, placing it among the highest we track nationally. Graduates earn $10,270 beyond expectations compared to similar students, ranking well above average at the 86.0th percentile for earnings uplift. Median earnings reach $114,862 ten years after enrollment, exceeding the peer median of $63,066 by $51,796—an 82% earnings premium. Student debt remains controlled at $21,750, below the peer median of $24,181, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19. This combination of exceptional earnings performance with moderate debt levels positions Carnegie Mellon among the top-performing institutions for long-term financial returns, reflecting the value of its technical and business program concentration.
Carnegie Mellon graduates demonstrate modest but consistent earnings growth from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings rise from $105,360 six years after enrollment to $105,524 at eight years and $114,862 at ten years, representing 9.0% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 938 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn $10,270 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Carnegie Mellon well above average at the 86.0th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $112,300, ranking among the top 5% nationally and demonstrating the institution's ability to deliver strong outcomes across economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $72,560 at the 25th percentile to $182,769 at the 75th percentile, reflecting significant variation based on program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 29.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes at Carnegie Mellon show substantial variation across programs and career paths. The gap between the 25th percentile ($72,560) and 75th percentile ($182,769) represents a 2.5:1 ratio, reflecting the institution's strength in high-earning technical fields alongside more moderate-earning programs in arts and humanities. Computer Science graduates earn a median of $247,552, ranking #2 nationally, while Mathematical Statistics graduates earn $142,883, ranking #1 nationally in their field.
Earnings growth remains relatively modest during the early to mid-career period, increasing by 9.0% between the six-year and ten-year marks. With nearly 940 graduates included in the ten-year earnings cohort, these figures reflect outcomes across Carnegie Mellon's diverse academic portfolio rather than isolated high-earning specialties.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings distribution reveals significant variation in outcomes across career paths. The spread from $72,560 at the 25th percentile to $182,769 at the 75th percentile represents a 2.5:1 ratio, indicating substantial upside potential for graduates in high-earning tracks. Low-income graduates earn $112,300, demonstrating strong mobility outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who gain admission. The wide earnings distribution reflects program diversity and career pathway variation.
Approximately 29.6% of Carnegie Mellon graduates continue to graduate or professional school, based on program mix analysis with medium confidence. This rate indicates balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate Carnegie Mellon's concentration in high-return technical fields. Computer Science leads with $247,552 median earnings, ranking #2 nationally, followed by Electrical Engineering at $149,740 (#4 nationally) and Mathematical Statistics at $142,883 (#1 nationally). Business Administration produces $123,200 earnings while ranking #2 nationally. These flagship programs drive the institution's exceptional return performance, with most technical programs achieving value scores above 90. The contrast with lower-earning programs like Acting ($25,846) and Art History ($20,140) highlights the importance of program selection in maximizing return on investment at Carnegie Mellon.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings distribution reveals significant variation in outcomes across career paths. The spread from $72,560 at the 25th percentile to $182,769 at the 75th percentile represents a 2.5:1 ratio, indicating substantial upside potential for graduates in high-earning tracks. Low-income graduates earn $112,300, demonstrating strong mobility outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who gain admission. The wide earnings distribution reflects program diversity and career pathway variation.
