Bachelor Programme
Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon's BS in Computer Science is taught in the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science. The core covers imperative and functional programming, parallel and sequential data structures and algorithms, computer systems, theoretical computer science and algorithm design, along with mathematical foundations for computer science, calculus, linear algebra and probability. Students then take one course each in artificial intelligence, logic and languages, software systems (for example operating systems, compilers, distributed systems or databases) and a further CS domain, plus SCS electives, a technical communication course and general education in science, engineering, humanities and the arts. An honours research thesis is available in the senior year.
University
Carnegie Mellon University
Country
United States
Level
Bachelor
Field
Computer Science
Duration
4 years full-time (360 units)
Language
English
Campus
Pittsburgh
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science
Intake
Fall semester (first-year entry)
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 entry, through the Common Application with a US$75 application fee. CMU has a single binding Early Decision round (there is no Early Decision II): apply by 2 November 2026, decision by 15 December 2026 and enrolment commitment by 1 February 2027; Early Decision applicants can apply to only one college at CMU and cannot reapply in Regular Decision if denied. Regular Decision: apply by 4 January 2027, decisions no later than 1 April 2027, reply by 1 May 2027. International applicants follow the same deadlines
Tuition Information
2026-27: undergraduate tuition at Carnegie Mellon is US$69,702 a year (US$969 per unit), the same for every major and for international students. Student Financial Services' first-year budget for a student living on campus (first-years are required to live on campus) adds US$11,700 for housing, US$7,950 for food and US$1,862 in fees (First-Year Experience Fee US$748, technology US$490, student activities US$322, transportation US$302), for US$91,214 in tuition, fees and living costs. Books (US$1,000) and personal expenses (US$1,300) bring the official cost of attendance to about US$93,500, and the required health insurance is US$3,093 a year unless waived for comparable cover, so plan for roughly US$96,600 (our total of the official figures, leaving out federal loan fees). Fall 2027 entrants will pay the 2027-28 rates, which had not been published when we checked. CMU does not offer financial aid to international undergraduates, who must plan to pay the full cost of attendance
Admission Requirements
- School and admission route: you apply to the Griffin School of Computer Science, not straight to a major. On the Common App you can select Computer Science to show your interest, but this does not affect the decision. All SCS students declare one of the five SCS majors in the spring of their first year
- Testing: the School of Computer Science requires an SAT or ACT score. SAT results can be superscored; ACT results cannot. Self-reported scores are accepted until you enrol
- Secondary school preparation: 4 years of English, 4 years of mathematics (through pre-calculus, preferably with calculus), 1 year of physics, 2 years of chemistry, biology or computer science, 2 years of a foreign language and 3 electives
- English proficiency (if English is not your native language): TOEFL iBT 5 overall with section scores of 5 or more on the scale used from 21 January 2026 (102 overall with 25+ in each section for earlier tests; MyBest scores are not used), IELTS Academic or IELTS Online 7.5 overall with 7.5+ subscores, Duolingo English Test 135 overall with 135+ in Literacy, Conversation, Comprehension and Production, TOEFL Essentials 11, or Cambridge English 191. Scores should be no more than two years old, and CMU suggests testing no later than December of your final school year
- Application materials: Common App essay, CMU writing supplement (three short-answer questions), secondary school counselor evaluation, one teacher recommendation and school transcripts (non-English documents need an official, school-verified translation). International students taking IB or A-levels send predicted results; if admitted you must show you have completed secondary school