Carnegie Mellon University

Investment in yourself and in your future.

When you make this investment by enrolling in Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs, the cost includes:

  • Tuition for college-level classes taught by accomplished Carnegie Mellon University faculty.
  • Housing on a vibrant and welcoming college campus. Residential students only.
  • Dining Services that offer diverse eating options that emphasize health, wellness, and delicious food! Dining options include (but not limited to) vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Halal.
  • University fees for the use of the campus health center, fitness center, library, Student Success Center, and so much more!
  • Student ID with an Arts Pass providing free admission to a number of museums and venues in the Pittsburgh area.
  • Transportation Pass to attend organized program or extra-curricular events.

Program Costs

AI Scholars: Residential

4-week Option: $0.00
Application Fee: $0.00
Enrollment Deposit: $0.00

Architecture: Residential or commuter

Residential Program

4-week Option: $9,249.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*:

$800.00

Commuter Program

4-week Option: $7,200.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

ART: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

3-week Option: $6,931.00
6-week Option: $10,647.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

3-week Option: $5,395.00
6-week Option: $7,886.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

Computer Science Scholars: Residential

4-week Option: $0.00
Application Fee: $0.00
Enrollment Deposit: $0.00

Computational Biology: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

3-week Option: $6,987.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

 Commuter Program

3-week Option: $5,467.00
Application Fee*: $50.00

Enrollment Deposit*:

$800.00

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable.

Design: rESIDENTIAL or COMMUTER

Residential Program

6-week Option: $10,647.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

6-week Option: $7,731.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Program cost includes supply kit - see program information for what is included in the kits. 

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

Drama: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

6-week Option: $10,734.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

6-week Option: $7,830.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Program cost includes supply kit - see program information for what is included in the kits. 

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

EDG:E: commuter

2-week Option: $0.00
Application Fee: $0.00
Enrollment Deposit: $0.00

Music: rESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

3-week Option: $6,407.00
6-week Option: $10,155.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

3-week Option: $4,872.00
6-week Option: $7,258.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter: Part-time Program

Application Fee**: $0.00
Enrollment Deposit**: $0.00

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable.

**Commuter Part-time applicants are not required to pay an Application Fee or an Enrollment Deposit. All costs are assessed after enrollment and are dependent on lesson and activity choices. 

National High School Game Academy: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

6-week Option: $11,313.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

6-week Option: $8,409.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

*Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

Summer Academy for Math and Science: RESIDENTIAL

Residential Program

5-Week Option: $0.00
Application Fee: $0.00
Enrollment Deposit: $0.00

Summer Session: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

6-week Option (Two Courses): $12,454.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

6-week Option (One Course): $6,282.00
6-Week Option (Two Courses): $9,588.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

 *Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 

Writing & Culture: RESIDENTIAL OR COMMUTER

Residential Program

6-week Option: $10,025.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

Commuter Program

6-week Option: $7,417.00
Application Fee*: $50.00
Enrollment Deposit*: $800.00

 *Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit are non-refundable. 


Scholarships

Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining are available to students demonstrating financial need. You can elect to be considered for a scholarship within the online application.

Please note: International students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

  • Participate in select program options:
• Architecture - Residential
• Art - 6-Week Residential
• Computational Biology - Residential 
• Design - Residential
• Drama - Residential
• Music - 6-Week Residential
• National High School Game Academy - Residential
• Summer Session - Residential, Commuter (one or two courses)
• Writing & Culture - Residential
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be available to attend the entirety of the program
  • Demonstrate financial need

Students in any of the below categories are considered to demonstrate financial need:

• Students who have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
• Students who are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program (FRPL).
• Students whose family income falls within or near the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• Students who are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g. TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
• Students whose family receives public assistance.
• Students who live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
• Students who are a ward of the state or an orphan.
• Students who can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

Documentation of financial need is required to be considered for scholarship opportunities in all available programs.

Documentation required includes tax documents or a completed NACAC Application Fee Waiver signed by your high school guidance department.

Financial Details and Frequently Asked Questions

Admitted students* will have 7 days to submit the $800 non-refundable enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program.

Admitted students receiving scholarships* will have 7 days to submit the $100 enrollment deposit and the Enrollment Reply Form to secure their spot in the program. These funds will be available for student use on campus through their Student ID Card during the duration of the program.

Students admitted to AI Scholars, Computer Science Scholars, or Summer Academy for Math and Science are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. To secure their spot in the program, their Enrollment Reply Form must be received within 7 days of admittance. 

*Applies to students admitted to: Art, Architecture, Computational Biology, Design, Drama, Music, National High School Game Academy, Summer Session, and Writing & Culture

IMPORTANT: To retain your enrollment in Pre-College Programs, requested enrollment paperwork must be completed by the deadline provided. Key enrollment paperwork will be requested within two weeks after the Enrollment Reply Form is received by our office. 

Students in a Pre-College program who wish to withdraw prior to the start of the program must contact the Office of Pre-College Programs by email at precollege@andrew.cmu.edu. The withdrawal request will then be authorized by a Pre-College Program Director and the Director of Pre-College Programs, thereby initiating a refund, if applicable.

Please Note: Enrollment deposits are non-refundable.

Students who wish to withdraw after the start of the program must first report to their academic program director before completing an official withdrawal form. The withdrawal will then be authorized by a Pre-College Program Director and the Director of Pre-College Programs, thereby initiating a refund, if applicable.

Refund Amount: Date Withdrawl Form is Received:
Full Program Cost On or before May 12, 2023
50% of Program Cost May 13 - May 31, 2023
No refund given On or after June 1, 2023

Please Note: Students who are expelled will not receive a refund. Application Fees and Enrollment Deposits are non-refundable. 

How much spending money will I need?

On average, students can spend anywhere from $250-$350 during a six-week stay. This is dependent on what students want to purchase. Nineteen meals per week are covered through the dining plan, but students will need spending money if they choose to eat off-campus. Students may also wish to purchase souvenirs at the bookstore or in nearby shopping areas.

Spending money is not required. However, if students choose to make purchases, they may want to bring spending money.

Typically, the best way to get cash to students is by sending them with an ATM card. There are PNC Bank and Citizens Bank ATMS conveniently located in Carnegie Mellon’s Cohon University Center.

Please Note: It is highly recommended that students do not bring large sums of cash. If students do have cash, we recommend that they always keep it with them or keep in under lock and key.

Will I have any other expenses while at Pre-College?

Typical additional expenses may include:

  • Any medical expenses not covered by insurance either from University Health Services or outside medical facilities
  • Library fines for late or lost items
  • Off-campus trip tickets
  • Any school supplies that are not covered as part of the program cost
  • Transportation from your home to campus and back
  • Private music lessons