M.S from Carnegie Mellon University [CMU], Pittsburgh - Fees & Admission Details 2026
Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of programs for international students across fields like Computer Science, Engineering, Business, and Data Science.Some of the popular courses includes MS Artificial Intelligence and Innovation and BS Computer Science. According to the university’s official website, the average tuition fees for the 2026 academic year are:
- Around USD 69,702 (₹66.02 Lakhs) per year for undergraduate programs
- Around USD 60,400 - 69,000 (₹57.12 - 65.25 Lakhs) per year for graduate programs, depending on the course
CMU follows a flat tuition fee system for most full-time programs, meaning students pay a fixed annual fee. However, if students take additional courses beyond the regular limit, they are charged per credit. For accommodation, food, transport, and other daily expenses, international students can expect to spend around USD 23,912 (₹22.65 Lakhs) per year, depending on their lifestyle and housing choice.
Note: USD 1 = INR 94.74 is the exchange rate used for all currency conversions in this article
Carnegie Mellon University Popular Courses and Fees 2026
According to the official university website, Carnegie Mellon University follows a flat tuition fee structure for both undergraduate and most graduate programs. This means students pay a fixed annual fee for a standard course load. However, if students choose to take extra courses beyond the regular limit, they are charged on a per-credit (unit) basis, which is approximately USD 969 (INR 91,803) per unit for undergraduate programs. For master’s programs, the additional cost varies depending on the course.
Note: In the table below, the undergraduate fees are for 2026 - 2027, while the master’s fees are for 2025 - 2026. This is because, as stated by Carnegie Mellon University’s Student Financial Services, the graduate tuition for 2026 - 2027 will be announced later in the spring.
| Courses | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee in USD | Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Artificial Intelligence and Innovation | 2 Year | USD 60,400 | INR 57.12 Lakhs |
| MS Computer Science | 18 Months | USD 60,400 | INR 57.12 Lakhs |
| MS Information Security | 2 Year | USD 60,400 | INR 57.12 Lakhs |
| Master of Computational Data Science | 16 Months | USD 60,400 | INR 57.12 Lakhs |
| MS Computational Finance | 2 Year | USD 69,000 | INR 65.25 Lakhs |
| BS Computer Science | 4 Year | USD 69,702 | INR 66.02 Lakhs |
| BS Statistics and Data Science | 4 Year | USD 69,702 | INR 66.02 Lakhs |
| BS Economics | 4 Year | USD 69,702 | INR 66.02 Lakhs |
| Bachelor of Acting and Music Theater | 4 Year | USD 69,702 | INR 66.02 Lakhs |
| BS Chemical Engineering | 4 Year | USD 69,702 | INR 66.02 Lakhs |
Carnegie Mellon University Payment Methods
Carnegie Mellon University provides various payment methods for international students to pay their tuition fees. The university's official website recommends the methods listed below, allowing students to securely make payments using any of these options.
- Flywire: Recommended method to pay in local currency with secure transfer and tracking.
- CIBC International Student Pay: Secure international bank transfer option for students.
- Online Portal Payment: Pay directly through CMU’s official student payment portal.
- Credit/Debit Cards: International cards can be used for fee payment.
- Monthly Payment Plan: Allows students to pay fees in instalments instead of one full payment.
- Sponsor/Third-Party Payment: Fees can be paid by a government, company, or sponsor on behalf of the student.
Students can refer to the video above to understand the step-by-step process of paying their tuition fees as an international student through Flywire.
Carnegie Mellon University Cost of Living
The university provides an estimated cost of attendance for international students, which helps students to plan their budget. This cost can vary depending on a student’s lifestyle, whether they choose on-campus or off-campus housing, and their personal expenses.
Below is the official table showing the estimated cost of living at Carnegie Mellon University.
| Expense | On-Campus (USD) | On-Campus (INR) | Off-Campus (USD) | Off-Campus (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | USD 11,700 | INR 11.08 Lakhs |
- |
- (Depends on the student) |
| Food | USD 7,950 | INR 7.53 Lakhs | USD 3,976 | INR 3.76 Lakhs |
| First-Year Experience Fee | USD 748 | INR 70,870 | USD 748 | INR 70,870 |
| Technology Fee | USD 490 | INR 46,423 | USD 490 | INR 46,423 |
| Student Activities Fee | USD 322 | INR 30,510 | USD 322 | INR 30,510 |
| Transportation Fee | USD 302 | INR 28,607 | USD 302 | INR 28,607 |
| Books & Supplies | USD 1,000 | INR 94,740 | USD 1,000 | INR 94,740 |
| Personal Expenses | USD 1,300 | INR 1.23 Lakhs | USD 1,300 | INR 1.23 Lakhs |
| Loan Fees | USD 100 | INR 9,474 | USD 100 | INR 9,474 |
| Transportation Allowance | USD 0 | INR 0 | USD 680 | INR 64,423 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | USD 23,912 | INR 22.65 Lakhs | USD 8,918 (Without Housing) |
INR 8.44 Lakhs (Without Housing) |
For more information, check out the cost of studying in the USA
Carnegie Mellon University Scholarships
The Carnegie Mellon University official website clearly states that “If you're an international student who plans to enroll at Carnegie Mellon, you and your family must plan to pay the total cost of attendance.” This means that Indian students are generally required to arrange their own funds, as the university does not provide broad financial aid or scholarships for international students.
However, students can apply for external scholarships offered by the U.S. and Indian governments. The table below highlights some of the key scholarship options that students can consider.
| Scholarship Name | Amount Offered | Eligibility for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full/Partial (Tuition, living, travel) | Indian students with a strong academic record, leadership qualities, and admission to a U.S. university |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD100,000 | Indian citizens with excellent academic backgrounds applying to top universities (including CMU) |
| J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INIR 1 - 10 lakh (loan-based) | Indian students admitted to recognised international universities |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Interest-free loan (up to INR 20 lakh) | Indian students with strong academic performance applying for postgraduate studies |
| AAUW International Fellowships | USD 18,000 - 30,000 | Female international students (including those from India) pursuing graduate study in the U.S. |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship | Up to full funding | Indian students (only for MBA at Stanford, not CMU, but a relevant external option) |
For more information, check out popular scholarships in the USA
Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of high-quality courses, especially in computer science, engineering, data science, and business, making it a top choice for Indian students. The tuition fees are on the higher side, ranging from USD 60,400 to USD 69,702 (INR 57.12 - 66.02 Lakhs), along with additional living expenses.
While the cost can be expensive, the university provides excellent academic quality, practical learning, and strong career opportunities. Students should plan their finances carefully and explore external scholarships to manage the expenses effectively. Overall, CMU is a great option for students looking for top-level education and global career growth.
FAQs
Ques. What are the popular courses at Carnegie Mellon University?
Ans. Popular courses include Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, and Business programs.
Ques. What is the undergraduate tuition fee at CMU?
Ans. Undergraduate programs cost approximately USD 69,702 (₹66.02 Lakhs) per year.
Popular Programs and Important Dates
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Information Security 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2027 Intake (31st Aug 2026) | INR 57.1 L/Yr USD 61,510 /Yr | 75 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 100, Duolingo-120 | |
M.S Computational Finance 2 years | Deposit Deadline For Round 2 2026 Intake (17th May 2026) | INR 64.1 L/Yr USD 69,000 /Yr | 125 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 100, GRE: 324, Duolingo-120 | - |
| INR 51.8 L/Yr USD 55,740 /Yr | 75 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100, Duolingo-120 | |||
M.S Software Engineering 16 months | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (31st Aug 2026) | INR 56 L/Yr USD 60,300 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL- 86 | IELTS- 7 | Duolingo- 115 | |
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (31st Aug 2026) | INR 56 L/Yr USD 60,300 /Yr | 75 | TOEFL- 86 | IELTS- 7 | Duolingo- 115 | ||
MBA 21 months | Round 2 Fees Deposit Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (21st Apr 2026) Round 3 Decision Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (29th Apr 2026) Round 3 Fees Deposit Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (26th May 2026) | INR 75.5 L/Yr USD 81,340 /Yr | 200 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 5, GMAT: 700, Duolingo-120 | - |
MS Biomedical Engineering 16 months | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (31st Aug 2026) | INR 56 L/Yr USD 60,300 /Yr | 75 | IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 86, Duolingo 105 | |
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jul 2026) | INR 53.3 L/Yr USD 57,420 /Yr | - | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100, Duolingo-120 | ||
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (31st Aug 2026) | INR 53.3 L/Yr USD 57,436 /Yr | 75 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 100, Duolingo-120 | ||
| INR 56 L/Yr USD 60,300 /Yr | 75 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 86, Duolingo-120 |
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Carnegie Mellon University Reviews
9 Reviews Found
Likes
- Coursework, Electives, Faculty
- On-Campus Resources -Therapy, Group Classes, etc
- Alumni Network, Networking events, exposure to industry
Dislikes
- Job Search Support Post Graduation
- Flexibility, Lack of guidance in choosing the right courses
- Inablity to take breaks for CPT or work authorization
- Accommodation is pretty easy to find if you find people from your cohort; there are small apartment buildings, or if you want to opt for cheaper accommodation, you can rent houses and share among your roommates. Houses are typically owned by older people living in the neighborhood, so that is a cheaper and safer alternative. Whatsapp Groups/ Facebook groups are the best alternatives to find roommates and then online websites for finding rental houses.
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Likes
- The brand name significantly contributes to a proxy in competence, which is a major advantage.
- Strong support for those looking to pursue entrepreneurship opportunities.
- Ideal for those interested in highly technical courses and opportunities.
Dislikes
- Not a very suitable fit for Product Management.
- Tuition fees are quite high for the value provided.
- Large batch sizes may be a concern.
I primarily chose this college for its brand value and the successful placements of alumni. However, the program was more focused on data and software development rather than product management, which was a drawback.
Likes
- I liked faculties and their way of teaching
- Infrastructure of the campus is great and mind blowing
- University provides great exposure and help in all round development
Dislikes
- Fees of the university is very expensive
- Academic is rigorous and cost of living is high
The admission process included marks of GRE and IELTS i.e I got 323 marks in GRE and 8 bands in IELTS. Other things included were Academics of bachelor, SOP, LOR of faculties and other financial documents. I prepared for exams from online platform i.e. GregMat and didn't go for any consultancy for admission.
Likes
- The world-class environment and the ample amount of opportunities were my major factors to choose CMU, followed by the profiles of the professors and the talk with the current cohort.
- The holistic take on grooming the students, providing a realistic view and making them job market ready are some points I like about the university. The career development centre is a little helpful but the research is completely a responsibility of the student.
Dislikes
- As an international student you might end feeling lonely at some states, however one needs to trust the process. I personally prefer keeping away from departmental politics. Initially, it did distract me however, it's important to bear in mind that it's a common occurrence and you shouldn't take it personally.
I had a great experience at Carnegie Mellon University. It was a fun, engaging, and fruitful time. The environment at the university was pretty warm with some chills of winter in Pittsburgh. Learning about different cultures and meeting new people was cherry on top.
Likes
- CMU is the number 1 college in systems and security courses that I wanted to do.
- The rigorousness of CMU is what really makes it valuable. I have worked for 2.5 years before coming here and a semester of work here is worth more learning than my entire career. That being said, it is very hectic and can be very hard for a lot of students.
Dislikes
- The bonding between students across departments can be improved. Intra department is good but inter department can be made better. There are events that happen every now and then that try to make this happen however it can be hard for everyone to sync up since every department has a very different course set for its students that leads to wildly different schedules for students.
The overall experience here has been very amazing for me. I have engaged in a lot of activities and strived to be better all the time. This is very valuable to me and I hope it is the same for anyone else who joins as well.
Likes
- The reputation of Carnegie Mellon University within CS and Analytics is top notch, and the program course really aligned with what I was looking for.
My overall experience has been good so far. Faculty is great, career coaches are really helpful. Our program director is a great man. The only thing that I find difficult is that the program length is only 9 months which makes the program pretty intense.
Likes
- Because of the diverse curriculum and the integration of choosing the courses I like, aside from the prestigious reputation.
It's amazing, I like it here. It has definitely broadened my horizons by a lot. I really like the challenge of a CMU degree.
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