Short answer: the middle 50% of first-year students who enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University scored about 1500 to 1570 on the SAT, with an average of 1546. That means a quarter of enrolled first-years scored 1500 or lower and a quarter scored 1570 or higher. These numbers come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Carnegie Mellon at a glance
SAT middle 50%: 1500 to 1570 | Average: 1546
Reading and Writing: 730 to 770 | Math: 770 to 800
ACT middle 50%: 34 to 35
Admission rate: 11.7%
Carnegie Mellon SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 730 | 770 |
| Math | 770 | 800 |
| Total (sum of sections) | 1500 | 1570 |
The total row adds the two section numbers, so treat it as a close estimate, not an exact percentile of total scores. For comparison, the average SAT score for the class of 2026 was 1045 (528 Reading and Writing, 517 Math), according to College Board.
Does Carnegie Mellon require the SAT?
It depends on the college you apply to. Carnegie Mellon changed its policy starting with fall 2026 applicants:
- School of Computer Science: requires an SAT or ACT score.
- Test-flexible: the College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Heinz College’s Information Systems program, Mellon College of Science and the Tepper School of Business. You must send test scores, but they can be SAT, ACT, AP, IB, Cambridge A-Level or French Baccalaureate results.
- College of Fine Arts: listed as test-optional, with required portfolios or auditions. Check CMU’s testing page for your year.
- SAT superscoring: CMU superscores the SAT but cannot superscore the ACT.
- Deadlines: CMU prefers testing done by November 1 for Early Decision and January 3 for Regular Decision.
- Self-report: allowed. Admitted students who enroll send official scores.
- SAT code: 2074.
What SAT score should you aim for?
Carnegie Mellon’s middle 50% is about 1500 to 1570. If you are applying to Computer Science, a score is required, so aim for 1500 or higher, and 1570 or higher to be in the top quarter. Math at CMU runs 770 to 800, so a 770 is only the 25th percentile.
For test-flexible colleges, the SAT is one of several options. If your AP or IB results are stronger than your SAT, CMU lets you send those instead. Because CMU superscores the SAT, a Math-focused retake is a good use of time.
Where do you stand against Carnegie Mellon’s range?
Take a free full-length practice test and compare your section scores to 770 (Reading and Writing) and 800 (Math).
How to close the gap
- Find your weaker section by comparing each score to Carnegie Mellon’s 75th percentile above.
- Practice at the top difficulty level. Scores in this range come from getting the hardest questions right. Try these hard SAT math questions and this hard SAT English practice test.
- Drill your weak skills in Targeted Practice.
- Compare schools with similar ranges in the College Finder.
Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon?
There is no cutoff, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored about 1500 to 1570.
What is the average SAT score at Carnegie Mellon?
College Scorecard lists an average of 1546.
Does Carnegie Mellon require the SAT?
It depends on the college. CMU's School of Computer Science requires the SAT or ACT, most other colleges are test-flexible (SAT, ACT, AP, IB and others), and Fine Arts is test-optional.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Carnegie Mellon University (latest admissions data, accessed October 2026).
- Carnegie Mellon Undergraduate Admission, Standardized Testing.
- Carnegie Mellon, CMU's Undergraduate Admission Test Policy (August 2024).
- College Board Newsroom, Class of 2026 SAT results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon?
There is no cutoff, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored about 1500 to 1570.
What is the average SAT score at Carnegie Mellon?
College Scorecard lists an average of 1546.
Does Carnegie Mellon require the SAT?
It depends on the college. CMU's School of Computer Science requires the SAT or ACT, most other colleges are test-flexible (SAT, ACT, AP, IB and others), and Fine Arts is test-optional.