Overview of the University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh is a public research institution with an acceptance rate of 59%. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. Students are backed by a 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.  Pitt ranks among the top Middle Atlantic colleges and universities for its many strengths and the top national public universities.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 28,673 (19,330 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 48 percent male/52 percent female
• 95 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $19,718 (in-state); $33,746 (out-of-state)
• Books: $755
• Room and Board: $11,250
• Other Expenses: $2,686
• Total Cost: $34,409 (in-state); $48,437 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 78 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 52 percent
  • Loans: 56 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $11,172
  • Loans: $6,698

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 93 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 13 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 65 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 83 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The Pitt Panthers play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.

Overview of University of Pittsburgh Admissions

The University of Pittsburgh accepts over half of applicants and has a selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of Pittsburgh had an acceptance rate of 59%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 59 students gained admission, making Pitt’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 81% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Pittsburgh’s students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT.  50% of admitted students scored between 630 and 700 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 630 and 25% scored over 700. 50% of students scored between 640 and 730 on the math part, while 25% scored under 640, and 25% scored over 730. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1430 or higher will have a competitive advantage at the University of Pittsburgh.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 41% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Pittsburgh’s students fall within the top 11% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students to Pitt received a cumulative ACT score between 28 and 33, while 25% scored over 33, and 25% scored under 28.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for incoming freshmen was 4.07, and over 90% of students had a mean GPA of over 3.5. Successful applicants have primarily A and high B grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of Pittsburgh, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of Pittsburgh is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of Pittsburgh, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Lehigh University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Washington, Stony Brook University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of Pittsburgh. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

New York University, University of Michigan, Emory University, Boston College, Boston University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Villanova University

Applying to the University of Pittsburgh

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://oafa.pitt.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://oafa.pitt.edu/apply/admissions-process/freshmen/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.gradstudents.pitt.edu/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/admissions/application