Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private · 100% graduation rate
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Statistics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mathematics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mechanical Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Chemical Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Biomedical/Bioengineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Civil Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Chemistry | $17K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Physics | $17K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $20K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Materials Science | $17K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $20K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Systems Science and Theory | $20K | $52K | $72K | C | BUY |
| Biology | $20K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Psychology | $20K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21K | $42K | $57K | C | CAUTION |
| Design and Applied Arts | $21K | $42K | $57K | C | CAUTION |
| Music | $21K | $42K | $57K | C | CAUTION |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Carnegie Mellon University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Carnegie Mellon University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Carnegie Mellon University. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $17K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Related Schools & Majors
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).