Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts sits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, combining studio art, design, drama, music, and architecture under one roof. It ranks among the top arts colleges in the US, with drama and design programmes consistently placed in the national top 5. Graduates enter industries from Broadway to Silicon Valley, backed by CMU's strong employer network.
Pittsburgh, USA
Top 3 in the USA — The Princeton Review
Top 5 nationally — BusinessWeek
Top 15 in the USA — DesignIntelligence
Top 25 — QS World University Rankings 2024
Over 90% employed or in further study within 6 months
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
Master of Fine Arts in Drama (Directing)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
60 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
Master of Arts Management
Masters DegreeDuration
21 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS:7.0, TOEFL:102
#1 drama school pipeline to Broadway — more Tony-winning alumni than almost any other US programme.
Interdisciplinary by design — arts students regularly collaborate with CMU's engineering and computer science schools.
NASAD-accredited fine arts and design programmes — meeting the highest US national standards.
Entertainment Technology Center — a graduate programme co-founded with the School of Computer Science, unique in the world.
Drama graduates work on Broadway, in film, and at major TV studios including Netflix and HBO.
Design alumni hold roles at Apple, Google, IDEO, and leading product and UX agencies worldwide.
Architecture graduates join top firms such as Gensler, SOM, and international studios across the US and Europe.
Arts Management graduates lead nonprofits, galleries, and performing arts organisations across North America.
Undergrad
January 1 (Early Decision) / January 15 (Regular)
Postgrad
December 1 – January 15 (varies by programme)
CMU's 157-acre campus borders Schenley Park in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighbourhood. The College of Fine Arts building is a Beaux-Arts landmark with dedicated studios, theatres, and gallery spaces.
Pittsburgh has a low cost of living for a major US city and a growing creative and tech sector. Students access free museums, live music venues, and a tight-knit arts community within easy reach of campus.
F-1 student visa required
Valid passport (6+ months validity)
Proof of financial support (I-20 form)
SEVIS fee payment ($350)
DS-160 online application form
US embassy or consulate interview
