Organizer Information
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Its College of Fine Arts includes the School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama, and School of Music, with additional interdisciplinary BXA degrees combining arts with computer science, engineering, humanities, or science. CMU admits undergraduate students through its Office of Admission and graduate students through individual schools and programs.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Carnegie Mellon University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: B.Arch., B.A., B.F.A., B.Des., B.S., M.A., M.Des., M.F.A., M.M., M.P.S., Ph.D. and interdisciplinary BXA degrees
- Academic Fields: Architecture, Art, Design, Drama, Music, Arts Management, Entertainment Industry Management and interdisciplinary arts/technology
- Relevant Programs: Architecture; Art; Design; Drama; Music; BXA Intercollege Degrees; selected graduate programs in Art, Design, Drama and Music
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by program and degree level
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate: 2 November 2026 Early Decision; 4 January 2027 Regular Decision; Drama and Music: 1 December 2026 Regular Decision
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $75 for undergraduate admission
- Tuition: $69,702 per academic year for undergraduate students entering Fall 2026; graduate tuition varies by school/program
- Funding: Institutional financial aid and funding opportunities vary by applicant category and program; international undergraduates are not eligible for CMU financial aid.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The College of Fine Arts provides undergraduate study in Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music. The School of Art offers a B.F.A. with study areas including Drawing, Painting, Printmaking and Photography; Sculpture, Installation and Site Work; Electronic and Time-Based Media; and Contextual Practice. The School of Design offers the Bachelor of Design with Communications, Products and Environments tracks.
- Interdisciplinary BXA degrees combine arts study with computer science, engineering, humanities or science through the BCSA, BESA, BHA and BSA pathways.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. For example, portfolios are required for undergraduate Art and Design applicants.
General Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants apply as first-year or transfer applicants and must meet CMU's academic admission requirements. First-year applicants must complete the required secondary-school curriculum and provide evidence of an official high school diploma if admitted. College of Fine Arts applicants must also satisfy school-specific artistic requirements where applicable.
- Graduate eligibility is program-specific. For example, applicants to the MFA in Art must hold a bachelor's degree.
- Additional requirements such as professional experience, portfolio content, auditions or interviews vary by program. Graduate Drama applicants, for example, may need prior theatre and art/design experience for particular design programs.
Language Requirements
- International undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English-language test. CMU requires at least IELTS Academic 7.5, TOEFL iBT 102 for tests taken before 21 January 2026 or the applicable new TOEFL scale requirement for tests taken from that date, TOEFL Essentials 11, Duolingo English Test 135, or Cambridge English Assessment 191, subject to CMU's stated subscore considerations.
- For the MFA in Art, non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results regardless of previous U.S. study.
Application Fee
| Applicant Category | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $75 | Fee waivers are available to applicants meeting qualifying economic-need indicators |
| Graduate | Program-specific | Varies by graduate application |
The undergraduate application fee is nonrefundable.
Tuition
| Study Level | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, entering Fall 2026 | $69,702 | Academic year | Technology $490/year; Student Activities $322/year; Transportation $302/year; First-Year Experience Fee $748 for eligible incoming students |
| Graduate, College of Fine Arts | Architecture $44,300; Art $36,720; Design $45,000; Drama $38,496; Music $45,950 | Academic year, with school-specific rates | Standard university fees apply; program-specific charges may also apply |
The published undergraduate rate is for the 2026–2027 academic year; graduate College of Fine Arts rates are current as of 30 July 2026. CMU states that actual graduate tuition may vary by department or program. Undergraduate students must also maintain health insurance or receive an approved waiver.
Funding & Financial Support
Carnegie Mellon provides institutional financial assistance through grants, scholarships, student employment and loans. However, international undergraduate students are not eligible for CMU financial aid and must plan to cover the total cost of attendance. Graduate funding is determined at the school/program level and may differ substantially between programs.
University Services & Academic Support
College of Fine Arts students have access to specialized studios, facilities, emerging technologies, academic resources and interdisciplinary opportunities. The School of Art provides independent 24-hour studios for juniors and seniors, while the College of Fine Arts supports exhibitions, performances, film and media presentations, lectures and research activity.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants generally submit the Common Application, $75 application fee, high-school courses and grades, required standardized-test information, secondary-school counselor evaluation, teacher recommendation, Common Application essay and CMU writing supplement. College of Fine Arts programs have additional artistic requirements.
- For example, School of Art B.F.A./BXA applicants submit a portfolio and writing prompts through SlideRoom. Design applicants submit a portfolio through SlideRoom, while Drama and Music applicants may have program-specific auditions or artistic evaluations.
- The MFA in Art requires a portfolio/creative-work submission, professional resume, official transcripts, Artist's Statement, Statement of Interest and three professional references, in addition to the required English-language assessment for non-native speakers.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision Deadline: 2 November 2026
- Early Decision Notification: 15 December 2026
- Early Decision Enrollment Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 4 January 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: No later than 1 April 2027
- Regular Decision Enrollment Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Drama & Music Regular Decision Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Art/Architecture/Design Portfolio Deadline: 15 January 2027
- MFA in Art Application Period: 14 September 2026 – 15 January 2027
- MFA in Art Start of Studies: Fall 2027
Location
Carnegie Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States
Additional Details
Carnegie Mellon uses different admission procedures across its colleges and schools. College of Fine Arts applicants should review the requirements for their specific program before submitting an application. In particular, portfolio, audition, prescreening, and artistic-review deadlines can differ from the general university deadline. Early Decision is binding and is not available for the School of Music, BXA Design programs, or several Drama pathways.