Overview

The Design programme at Carnegie Mellon University offers a comprehensive undergraduate education that prepares students for professional practice in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. This four-year course is designed to foster a close-knit community of makers who collaborate across various creative disciplines. Students benefit from a rigorous curriculum that balances technical skill development with theoretical inquiry.

Why Design at Carnegie Mellon University?

The School of Design is recognised for its transdisciplinary approach, housing diverse specialists from UI/UX and industrial designers to animators and creative technologists under one roof. Students have access to world-class facilities and the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion, a hub for design-led innovation. The faculty consists of leading authorities in human-computer interaction, philosophy, and business, many of whom maintain active partnerships with prominent global organisations and non-profits.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 67020 per year
National fee: USD 67020 per year
Local fee: USD 67020 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum begins with a foundational year before students transition into their chosen specialised tracks. Modules may include:

Design for Interactions for Communications
Design for Interactions for Products
Human Experience in Design
Products
Communications
Environments
Design Studies

Careers with Design

Graduates from this programme are highly sought after for their ability to apply design thinking to complex organisational challenges. Alumni have secured positions at prestigious firms such as Pentagram and PlayPower, Inc. Common career paths include roles as industrial designers, visual designers, art directors, and user researchers. The diverse education also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to pursue advanced research or graduate studies in specialised design fields.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Studio: Survey of Design

Visualizing

Placing

Design Lab & Workshop

Collaborative Visualizing

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-05-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

135

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

102

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

369 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Pittsburgh, United States

Disciplines

Design View 840 other Bachelors in Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

135

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

102

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application
$75 application fee*
Official high school transcript (please review our Academic Requirements)**
All required standardized testing official score reports, which includes the TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your native language
Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
Teacher Recommendation
Common Application essay
Carnegie Mellon Common Application Writing Supplement, which includes three short answer questions
All fine arts applicants to the Schools of Drama and Music are required to arrange required pre-screen, audition or portfolio review.
All fine art applications to the Schools of Architecture, Art, Design are required to submit required portfolio and creative materials.
Home schooled applicants should submit an academic portfolio/transcript consistent with their state guidelines and a list of all textbooks used.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year
Out-of-State

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

67020 USD / year

≈ 67020 USD / year

Living costs

Pittsburgh

United States

1148 - 1944 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Pittsburgh

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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