Average IQ at Carnegie Mellon University

The estimated average IQ of students at Carnegie Mellon University is about 142. It comes from SAT and ACT score research, not from testing anyone on campus.

Carnegie Mellon University students average about 142. What's yours?

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Key facts

Estimated average IQ
142
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Dominant archetype
The Technologist
Notable alumni
Andy Warhol, Randy Pausch, John Nash

The student profile

Tech-focused with world-class AI and robotics programs. Intense workload with strong industry connections.

Dominant archetype is The Technologist, which often shows up as the campus default: what gets praised, what gets funded, and how status is earned.

Notable alumni include Andy Warhol, Randy Pausch, and John Nash.

Signature majors

Majors strongly associated with Carnegie Mellon University in our dataset, with the typical student profile for each.

Carnegie Mellon University: common questions

What is the average IQ of Carnegie Mellon University students?

Estimated average IQ is about 142. This number is an approximation, not an admissions cutoff and not a guarantee of performance.

What kind of student thrives at Carnegie Mellon University?

Students who thrive here usually match the campus archetype (The Technologist) and can sustain high cognitive load while maintaining recovery systems.

How should I prepare for Carnegie Mellon University?

Build two things: (1) deep-work stamina, and (2) social systems. High-achievement environments reward focus, but long-term success requires relationships and recovery.

Is Carnegie Mellon University a good fit for me?

Fit comes down to study style and culture. If you enjoy competition, high standards, and a fast learning curve, it can feel energizing. If you prefer slower pace and lower pressure, it may feel draining.

Carnegie Mellon University students average about 142. What's yours?

A campus average hides a wide spread of students. Your own score from 25 visual reasoning questions says far more about you.

Take the IQ test

25 questions · about 12 minutes

Sources

  1. Wai, J., Cacchio, M., Putallaz, M., & Makel, M. C. (2010). Sex differences in the right tail of cognitive abilities: A 30-year examination. Intelligence, 38(4), 412-423.
  2. Frey, M. C., & Detterman, D. K. (2004). Scholastic Assessment or g? The relationship between the Scholastic Assessment Test and general cognitive ability. Psychological Science, 15(6), 373-378.

Last reviewed February 2026.