Is CMU worth it?

Yes, Carnegie Mellon (CMU) is widely considered worth it, especially for tech, engineering, design, and drama, due to its strong academics, top rankings, excellent career outcomes (high salaries, great job placement), and valuable networking, though it's expensive, requiring careful consideration of costs vs. financial aid for your specific field and goals.

Is it worth applying to CMU?

The school is “great for engineering, math, science, or physics students (or drama or design),” who find that the world “practically throws opportunities (internships, guidance) at these majors.” You would be hardpressed to find a junior or senior who did not have an internship or research position in the summer; “it ...

Why is CMU losing students?

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is facing enrollment challenges, particularly with international students, due to visa issues, heightened geopolitical tensions (especially concerning China), and shifting U.S. immigration policies that create uncertainty, impacting their tech-focused STEM recruitment. For Central Michigan University (CMU), declining domestic enrollment is also a major factor, driven by rising costs, demographic shifts (fewer high school grads), and pandemic-related issues, compounded by significant drops in international students from visa hurdles, leading to budget concerns and campus changes like dorm closures.
 

Is CMU better than Ivy League?

Carnegie Mellon (CMU) isn't technically an Ivy League but is often considered a "New Ivy" because it rivals or surpasses Ivies in specific, highly-regarded programs like Computer Science and Engineering, while Ivies generally lead in fields like humanities, law, and business; the "better" choice depends entirely on your intended major and career goals, as CMU excels in tech/STEM, while Ivies offer broad, prestigious liberal arts and professional schools. CMU is highly valued by employers, especially in tech, often outperforming Ivies in graduate career outcomes for these fields.
 

How prestigious is CMU?

Yes, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is extremely prestigious, highly ranked nationally and globally, and renowned for its rigorous academics, innovation, and top-tier programs, particularly in Computer Science, Engineering, Drama, and Business, placing it among the elite institutions in the U.S. and the world, often compared to Ivy League schools in its specialized strengths. 

Carnegie Mellon: The pros, the cons, and how to get in.

Is CMU or MIT better for CS?

Neither Carnegie Mellon (CMU) nor MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is definitively "better," as both are top-tier for Computer Science (CS), consistently ranked #1 or #2 nationally/globally, but they offer different experiences: CMU excels in practical, deep CS focus with interdisciplinary strength and strong job placement, while MIT provides broader prestige, deeper theoretical depth, and a wider range of STEM opportunities, though its culture can be more intense and its social scene different. Your choice depends on your learning style (practical vs. theoretical) and career goals (pure CS vs. broader STEM/finance/consulting). 

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While subjectivity plays a role, Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical, Biomedical), and Physics/Mathematics consistently rank among the top 3 hardest majors due to intense workloads, complex problem-solving, deep analytical skills, and demanding coursework, often involving advanced concepts in math, science, and critical thinking, with Chemistry and Architecture also frequently cited. 

Is CMU hard to get into?

Getting into Carnegie Mellon (CMU) is extremely difficult, with an overall acceptance rate hovering around 11-12% (for the Class of 2029), making it highly selective, though rates vary significantly by college (e.g., CS is ~7%, while Fine Arts can be higher). You need near-perfect grades, high test scores (SAT 1500-1570/ACT 34-35 for half of admitted students), strong essays, impressive extracurriculars, and standout recommendations to get past initial filters and truly impress the holistic review committee, often requiring exceptional achievements beyond typical top student profiles. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is Carnegie Mellon a tier 1 school?

Top Tier 1 universities in the US include MIT, UCLA and Carnegie Mellon University, besides the IVY Leagues. These universities offer similar — even better academic programs, research facilities and ROI, adding significant value to your life and career.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Why do so many Asians go to Carnegie Mellon?

The fact that Carnegie Mellon is a science and engineering-oriented school may account for the reason why so many Asian and Asian-American students choose to enroll. Statistics show that Asian-American students tend to be more proficient in mathematics than peers of other ethnic groups.

What is the least respected degree?

Degrees in drama/theatre, music, fine arts, and religious studies are often recogonized as the least respected degrees due to their lower starting salaries and limited career prospects. However, the term “least respected” is quite subjective, and the real condition can vary depending on the individuals and industries.

Why is CMU so famous?

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is famous for its world-leading programs in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, pioneering the first U.S. AI bachelor's degree, alongside top-tier arts and engineering, creating a unique interdisciplinary environment known for innovation, Nobel laureates, Tony Award winners, and significant global impact, blending rigorous STEM with creative fields like drama, design, and robotics. Its reputation stems from consistently high rankings, pioneering research (like early AI and robotics), strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a vibrant campus culture with iconic traditions like "The Fence" and "Buggy" races, attracting brilliant students and faculty worldwide.
 

What is the most prestigious non-ivy league school?

There isn't one single "most prestigious" non-Ivy League school, but Stanford University, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the University of Chicago are consistently ranked at the very top, often considered alongside or even above many Ivies due to their exceptional academics, research, and selectivity. Other top contenders include Caltech, Northwestern University, Duke University, and strong public universities like UC Berkeley and UCLA. 

What is the #1 best music school?

There's no single "number one" music school, as it depends on focus (classical, contemporary, business), but The Juilliard School (NYC) is consistently ranked top for traditional performance/classical. Other elite institutions include Curtis Institute of Music, Berklee College of Music (especially for contemporary/Hollywood), and New England Conservatory, with rankings varying by source like Musical America, QS Rankings, and industry lists. 

What are the preppiest colleges?

• Hampden-Sydney.
• Washington and Lee.
• UVA.
• Amherst.
• The University of the South / Sewanee.
• Princeton.
• Williams.
• Dartmouth.

What is the 2nd highest degree?

Colleges offer degrees at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. A higher degree level can offer more specialized skills and career options. The cost and time to completion often increase with each degree level, with doctoral degrees typically requiring five or more years of study.

What's the number one party college in the US?

According to recent rankings, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is frequently named the #1 party school in the U.S. for 2025-2026 by sources like Niche, recognized for its lively beach culture and social scene, followed by schools like Florida State University (FSU) and Tulane University. Rankings vary by publication, but UCSB consistently ranks high due to its active campus life, bars, Greek life, and overall party culture, notes Niche. 

Is CMU an elite school?

Yes, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is extremely prestigious, highly ranked nationally and globally, and renowned for its rigorous academics, innovation, and top-tier programs, particularly in Computer Science, Engineering, Drama, and Business, placing it among the elite institutions in the U.S. and the world, often compared to Ivy League schools in its specialized strengths. 

Which is harder to get into, CMU or CU?

Is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) or Central Michigan University (CMU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is more difficult to get into.

What is the vibe at Carnegie Mellon?

Being different is woven into the fabric of CMU, so much so that there's a phrase for it: "That is SO CMU." Our intellect is unconventional, our efforts are audacious and relentless, and our fun is quirky. From a tartan for our color, to Buggy, to a poker-playing robot, we've got our own way of doing things.

Which degree leads to burnout?

Architecture. Architecture is known as one of the degrees that leads to the highest mental burnout due to its intense studio culture, long working hours, and demanding design expectations. Students often spend nights completing models, drawings, and critiques, which can lead to stress and exhaustion.

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Education, English, and Criminal Justice frequently rank as the easiest due to higher average GPAs and less demanding technical skills compared to STEM fields, often focusing on human behavior, societal structures, and communication. Majors like Sociology, Social Work, and Communications are also commonly cited as easier liberal arts options. 

Which major has the most dropouts?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses. Only 40% of those who declare STEM majors complete the degree.