CMU Tepper MBA: 2026-2027 deadlines and requirements
Key facts
| Program | Full-time MBA |
|---|---|
| City | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Rank | #16 (tie) in U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools |
| Class size | 144 students in the Class of 2027 |
| GMAT score | Average 659, median 655, on the GMAT Focus Edition for the Class of 2027 |
| GRE | Average 163 Quant and 159 Verbal for the Class of 2027 |
| Tests it takes | Takes the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition, the GRE or the Executive Assessment. One test is required unless the admissions committee grants a test waiver, which it decides case by case. The school says successful applicants who send the Executive Assessment have strong math classes or work in a STEM field. |
| Application fee | $200, paid online by credit card. You can earn a fee waiver by attending one of the school's events. The fee is waived for people who apply again within a year, and for Teach for America and AmeriCorps alumni. The deferred admission fee is $125. |
| Tuition | $42,093 per semester in tuition plus $1,040 per semester in fees for the 2026-2027 year. The program lasts 2 years. |
| English test | TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo is required unless your bachelor's or graduate degree was taught only in English. The school recommends TOEFL 25 on each section, IELTS 7 overall and in each band, or Duolingo 120. These are recommended scores, not stated minimums. |
Application rounds
| Round | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 30, 2026 | December 9, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 8, 2027 | March 10, 2027 |
| Round 3 | March 3, 2027 | April 22, 2027 |
| Round 4 | May 5, 2027 | As applications are reviewed |
| Round 4 final deadline | June 15, 2027 | As applications are reviewed |
| Deferred admission for college seniors, Round 1 | January 8, 2027 | March 10, 2027 |
| Deferred admission for college seniors, Round 2 | March 3, 2027 | April 22, 2027 |
| Deferred admission for college seniors, Round 3 | May 5, 2027 | As applications are reviewed |
Essays
- 500 words. Choose one of two questions. Option 1: At the Tepper School, we value leaders who can make confident decisions when facing complexity and uncertainty. Tell us about a time when you had to take action without having all of the answers. How did you navigate the situation and what was the outcome? Option 2: The Tepper School of Business is committed to helping students reach their full potential by supporting their professional and personal transformation. How do you hope to transform, both professionally and personally, during your time in the program? Please describe your development goals and steps you plan to achieve them.
- Optional, no word limit printed. Optional essay for anything else the admissions committee should know, such as a gap in your resume or why you chose your recommender. People who apply again use it to show how their application is stronger.
- 2 minutes. Video essay: Please describe your post-MBA career goals. Say how this goal fits your long-term career plan.
Recommendations
1 recommendation. The school suggests a current or past supervisor, but anyone who can speak about your work in detail is accepted. It uses the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation.
Interview
By invitation only, and required. Invitations start within one week after the deadline. A member of the admissions team asks behavior questions about teamwork, leadership, success and failure.
Other parts of the application
Resume of 1 to 2 pages. Unofficial copies of all transcripts (not web transcripts). Admission needs one college calculus class with a grade of B or better, or the school's Calculus Fundamentals course before classes start. The school uses a company called Re Vera to check the facts of people who accept an offer. International applicants must show money for tuition and living costs. International applicants can apply only through Round 3.
Links
Sources
- CMU Tepper: Apply to Full-Time MBA, read November 1, 2026
- CMU Tepper: Full-Time MBA Class Profile, read November 1, 2026
- CMU Tepper: Deferred Admission, read November 1, 2026
- CMU Tepper: Tuition and Scholarships, read November 1, 2026
- Carnegie Mellon Student Financial Services: Graduate tuition, read November 1, 2026
- Campus photo: Tomwsulcer, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
