Overview
The Tepper School of Business was established in 1949 as the Graduate School of Industrial Administration (GSIA) at Carnegie Mellon University, pioneering the analytical, data-driven approach to business education. Renamed in 2004 after a $55 million gift from CMU alumnus David Tepper, the school has consistently been at the forefront of integrating quantitative methods, economics, and behavioral science into management education. Its founding faculty included several Nobel Prize winners who revolutionized how business is taught and practiced. The school is housed in the state-of-the-art Tepper Quad, which opened in 2018, providing cutting-edge facilities for its programs. Carnegie Mellon University itself was founded in 1900 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools, later merging with the Mellon Institute in 1967 to form the current institution. Today, Tepper is known for its small, highly selective programs that emphasize analytical thinking and technological innovation. The school excels in finance, operations research, business analytics, and entrepreneurship, consistently ranking among the top business schools globally. Tepper leverages CMU's strengths in computer science, engineering, and artificial intelligence to create a unique interdisciplinary business education. The school's curriculum is rigorous and quantitatively intensive, attracting students who thrive in analytical environments. Tepper students benefit from CMU's collaborative culture and access to world-class resources across the university. The student body is diverse, intellectually curious, and highly motivated, with strong representation from STEM backgrounds. Campus life balances intense academics with professional development, networking opportunities, and access to Pittsburgh's growing tech and finance ecosystem. The school's relatively small size fosters close relationships among students and between students and faculty, creating a tight-knit community focused on innovation and impact.
At a Glance
| Type | Private Research |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Total students | 15,818 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 10:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 11% |
| Graduation rate | 92% |
| Average starting salary | $165,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $77,600 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $77,600 |
| Room & board | $17,800 |
| Average financial aid | $48,200 |
| Students receiving aid | 62% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 1490-1570 |
| ACT range | 34-35 |
| Average GPA | 3.90 |
| Regular deadline | January 3 |
Top Programs
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Operations Management
- Quantitative Economics
- Entrepreneurship
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.