Study in Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Overview for International Students
Carnegie Mellon is the #1-ranked CS school in the world and the premier destination for international students in computer science, machine learning, and robotics. Over 36% of CMU students are international - the highest share among major research universities.
- #1 ranked CS program in the US (US News, tied)
- 36% international students - the highest rate among major research universities
- Home of the pioneering Machine Learning and Robotics Institute
- Pittsburgh: lower cost of living than Boston, NYC, or SF
- CMU alumni dominate FAANG engineering leadership
- STEM OPT eligible across all technical programs
Who Thrives at CMU?
CMU's culture is defined by one thing: technical excellence without ego. It is a school where the student working next to you may already have a machine learning paper published and a YC startup in the works. For international students pursuing CS, AI, or robotics, CMU is not just a strong option - it is, by most measures, the best university in the world for those fields. The Pittsburgh campus is affordable compared to coastal cities, and the CMU-to-FAANG pipeline is among the most direct in higher education. Students who thrive here are self-motivated and unintimidated by being surrounded by the most technically gifted peers on earth.
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Admissions Requirements
Application Deadlines
Popular Majors for International Students
Scholarships for International Students
Jobs & OPT for International Students
Top Employers Who Hire from CMU
Cost Summary (Annual)
Estimates for 2025–26 academic year. Actual costs vary. Check university website for current figures.