Learn more about student life at the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Tepper School of Business as we meet some new members of the MBA Class of 2026 in this Real Humans: MBA Students. From military leadership to startup ventures and corporate finance, these students are embarking on their MBA journeys to advance their careers and sharpen their skills.
156 students matriculated at the program in Pittsburgh this year. Thirty-one percent of the new class are women and 39 percent are international. Fifty-five percent of U.S. students identify as minorities as 27 percent as underrepresented minorities. Eleven percent are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
During their undergraduate years, the CMU Tepper Class of 2026 MBA students earned an average GPA of 3.26. Thirty-four percent had majored in business/economics and 37 percent in engineering. Ten percent had earned degrees in math/physical sciences, and six percent each in social sciences or arts/humanities.
When it came time to take the GMAT, the 37 percent of Tepper MBAs who took the test landed an average score of 697. For the 21 percent who opted to take the GRE, they reported an average score of 323. The CMU Tepper MBA Class of 2026 arrived on campus with an average of 6.33 years of work experience at the average age of 29. Twenty-three percent of the U.S. students have a military background.
Behind the class profile, six new students have a range of experiences to share. Devin Smith, a former U.S. Navy sonar technician, is eager to leverage his leadership experience and transition into investment banking. He chose Tepper for its strong leadership development program and quantitative focus, solidified by the sense of belonging he felt during Welcome Weekend. Meanwhile, Divyesha Malhotra, a software engineer, was drawn to Tepper’s innovative curriculum that merges technical skills with business acumen, positioning her to make a seamless pivot into product management.
Jim Kromka, a mechanical engineer passionate about medical robotics, is excited to explore the strategic side of industries through consulting, while Olivia Ahearn, with a background in corporate finance and consulting, looks forward to expanding her understanding of how businesses can improve customer experiences. Olivia Demkowicz, with experience in product marketing, appreciates Tepper’s blend of engineering, art, and business, and plans to explore opportunities in product management and corporate strategy. Lastly, Philippe Simon, with a rich background in finance and media, is keen to transition into investment banking, drawn by Tepper’s intimate class size and leadership emphasis.
Learn more about these new members of the CMU Tepper MBA Class of 2026 in the following pages.
