Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a partner of the Qatar Foundation, has begun the 2026-27 academic year with its largest student body to date, enrolling over 490 students—an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. The university welcomed 145 first-year students, marking the biggest incoming class in its history, at its campus in Education City, Doha.
The student population continues to maintain a strong connection to the local community, with Qatari nationals comprising 37% of the total enrolment. This reflects CMU-Q’s ongoing appeal to regional students seeking a rigorous, interdisciplinary education.
Michael Trick, dean of CMU-Q, highlighted the growth as a sign of the institution’s expanding diversity and ambition. He emphasized the university’s role in contributing to Qatar’s knowledge economy, noting that graduates bring valuable technical skills, critical thinking, and forward-looking perspectives to the workforce.
The increase in enrolment follows a period of academic recognition for Carnegie Mellon University on the U.S. mainland as well. In the most recent U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges rankings, Carnegie Mellon advanced six places to rank 14th nationally among universities.
The growth at CMU-Q suggests a strengthening demand for high-quality higher education options in Qatar, aligning with the country’s broader objectives to develop a skilled and innovative workforce.