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Colleges / University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate49%

About Pitt

The University of Pittsburgh, or Pitt, is a renowned public research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pitt is known for its programs in health sciences, including medicine, nursing, and physical therapy, but it has strong programs in many disciplines, including English, psychology, and philosophy. The Philosophy department at Pitt is considered one of the best in the country. Pitt attracts many different kinds of students, but the student body tends to progressive, driven, and community-oriented. 

Pitt’s campus is nestled in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, a lively city with access to a host of arts, culture, and professional opportunities. For students who need a break from urban life, nearby Schenley Park provides a dose of nature, with 456 acres of fields, trails, and a disc golf course to explore.

Pitt is also part of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, and its sports teams, known as the Panthers, have a passionate following, particularly in football and basketball. The university's sports program has produced numerous professional athletes, including quarterback Dan Marino. 

Did You Know? 

The centerpiece of University of Pittsburgh's campus, the Cathedral of Learning is the centerpiece of University of Pittsburgh's campus and an iconic part of the university's skyline. The Cathedral (sometimes called “Cathy”) is 535 feet tall, which makes it the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere. The 42-story Gothic Cathedral is more than just a church. It houses classrooms, offices, computer labs, libraries, and even a food court.

Tips for Visiting Pitt From the CC Community

“My son LOVES the campus! Lots of students walking, a great mix of urban/traditional campus with pockets of green space around Cathy (Cathedral of Learning) and nearby Schenley Park. We didn’t have time but the arboretum, art museum, and downtown, I heard, are must-sees!”


“Campus vibe seemed happy... Students out and about, lots of space, nice mix of city and some green space, very clean all around…Take a tour of the Nationality rooms in Cathy…they are amazing. Go to Forbes Ave and walk around, check out the Petersen Events Center…so many places to check out.”  

See More Tips for Visiting Pitt in the CC Community

University of Pittsburgh Overview

University of Pittsburgh is a public, state school in an urban setting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pitt was founded in 1787 and now enrolls around 28,234 students a year, including 19,197 undergrads. Pitt offers on-campus housing for up to 7,145 students. Most students live in off campus housing.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Pitt! Love music or performing? Join a campus band, sing in a chorus, or perform with one of Pitt's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? Pitt students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Excited for Greek life? Pitt has fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Pitt has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Pitt on the Student Life page.

Learn more about life at Pitt on the Student Life page.

2021 Pitt Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar Semester
Overall Acceptance Rate 64%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate ED not offered
Early Action Acceptance Rate EA not offered
Average GPA 3.8
Applicants Submitting SAT scores 81%
In-State Tuition $19,092
Out-of-State $34,124
Percent of Need Met 57%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package $16,091

Is Pitt a Good School?

There is no one way to define a "good" college or university. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is, but they don't tell you how happy or successful students are. There are a few statistics that can give you a good idea of how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its students.

Let's take a closer look at to get a clearer idea of what Pitt offers and if it could be a good choice for you.

2021 Acceptance Rate for University of Pittsburgh

It is very difficult to get into Pitt. The acceptance rate at Pitt is 64%. Out of 32,549 applications received in 2021, 20,791 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Pitt

Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

About 93% of students who start at Pitt come back the next year.The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outlook Pitt Graduates

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school. Within six months of graduating, 67% of graduates receive at least one full-time job offer.

Check with Pitt directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Pitt's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students. Pitt's endowment was valued at $4.2 billion in 2021, compared to a national average of $905 million.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Pitt

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. Pitt meets 57% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,091 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2021 was around $38,465 per student, not including those with no debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021

Some aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA early. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Pitt. Based on this information, how does Pitt sound? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may be a terrible fit for another! So ask yourself: Is Pitt a good school for you?

If University of Pittsburgh seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Looking for Schools?

To learn more about Pitt, choose from the options below:

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Then use the college admissions predictor to take a data science look at your chances of getting accepted at some of the best schools in the U.S.

Where is Pitt?

Pitt is located in the urban setting of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

If you want to see Pitt for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Pennsylvania Turnpike to Pittsburgh, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Pittsburgh International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Pitt and Pittsburgh are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges in Pennsylvania?

See a full list of colleges in Pennsylvania and save your favorites to your college list.

College Info

4200 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Campus Setting: Urban

Pitt Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Continuous processing

Transfer Applications are Due

Continuous processing

The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Pitt is Continuous processing.

The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Pitt is Continuous processing.

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

University of Pittsburgh is a member of the Coalition for College.

More than an application, the Coalition provides free tools and resources to help students through the college admissions process, beginning as early as 9th grade.

Learn More

Pitt SAT Scores

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Composite SAT Range

Not available

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Math SAT Range

640 - 750

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Reading SAT Range

640 - 720

Pitt Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$34,064

In State

$50,304

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$19,760
$36,000
Fees
$1,320
$1,320
Housing
$12,268
$12,268
Books
$716
$716

Find Scholarships That Fit You

Want funding for college that doesn't need to be paid back? Explore College Confidential's new scholarship tool and search for scholarships that are tailored to you.

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Student Life

Wondering what life at Pitt is like? There are approximately 29,178 students enrolled at Pitt, including 19,953 undergraduate students and 9,225 graduate students. 96% percent of students attend school full-time, 64% percent are from PA and 36% percent of students are from other states.

96%

Full Time

3%

Part Time

64%

In State

36%

Out-of-State

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

29,178

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

49%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$21,080

Out-of-State

$37,320

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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