Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE)

Last verified against the official program page on April 18, 2026.

Pittsburgh, USMsit-peIn-person1 year

STEM-OPT

$93,300.00

Tuition

over 12mo

162

Credits

$100.00

App fee

Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University is a 162-credit, 1-year, in-person Msit-pe program based in Pittsburgh, US. Tuition is $93,300 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

About the program

The program provides skills to identify and resolve privacy challenges in modern software systems through an interdisciplinary curriculum covering computer science, law, policy, usability, statistics, and privacy by design. Students engage in a capstone project solving real-world privacy issues for industry sponsors.

Focus: coursework

Part-time option

Your fit

Match

Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

Admissions

Pro

Unlock full admissions requirements

GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

Deadlines

Fall 2027

Dec 10, 2026

Standardized tests

GRE

optional

Min The degree program does not have a minimum GRE requirement. GRE scores are optional, but applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit their scores. Admitted students generally have GRE scores above the 90th percentile on the quantitative exam and above the 50th percentile on the verbal exam.

TOEFL

required

Min TOEFL iBT: 102+ (minimum 25 per section); A successful applicant will normally have a total TOEFL iBT score of at least 102 (with no sub-score less than 25)

IELTS

required

Min IELTS: 7.5+; A successful applicant will normally have an IELTS score of at least 7.5

After the program

Post-study work rights

12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

$136,000.00

Avg starting salary

$21,712.00

Annual living cost

Application Checklist

See admits on GradCafe

Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

Prerequisites

Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

Recommendations

Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

Essays

Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

Contact

Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University cost?: The total estimated tuition for Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University is $93,300 across 162 required credits.
Is Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University online or in-person?: Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University is offered in-person.
How long does Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University take to complete?: Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University is structured around 1 year and 162 credits.
Is Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University STEM-OPT eligible?: Yes - Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.
What work-permit options follow Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University?: Post-completion work rights for Master's in Privacy Engineering (MPE) at Carnegie Mellon University: 12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)