Carnegie Mellon University

What are the graduation rates for students at Carnegie Mellon University?

Carnegie Mellon's reported four-year graduation rate is 81%, and its six-year rate is 94%. These measures follow defined entering cohorts of first-time, full-time bachelor's students; they should not be read as completion rates for every transfer, part-time, or graduate student.

The reported first-year retention rate is 98%, meaning most students in the measured cohort returned for a second year. Retention and graduation rates describe what happened to prior groups, not what will happen to an individual student. A prospective student comparing programs should also consider degree sequencing and whether changing majors could affect the time needed to finish.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Carnegie Mellon University?

College Scorecard field-of-study figures show substantial variation in reported earnings one year after completion. The cited figure for computer science is $161,723; for mechanical engineering it is $68,038. Reported figures for drama and fine and studio arts are $26,994 and $25,870, respectively.

These are program-level earnings measures for the covered former students, not starting-salary offers or promises to future graduates. College Scorecard earnings generally reflect a defined group of federally aided completers with observable earnings, and the applicable credential level and cohort should be checked before comparing programs. Location, further education, self-employment, career choice, and the kind of work available in a field can all affect what the statistic captures.

For help evaluating career paths rather than predicting a salary, students can use Carnegie Mellon's career services for individual counseling, résumé and interview preparation, job and internship searches, employer events, and alumni networking. Availability of those services is separate from any verified employment outcome.