University of Pittsburgh
A big state-related research university in Pittsburgh's Oakland district, with rolling admission and a Gothic 42-story Cathedral of Learning.
- Acceptance rate
- 59%
- Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027
- Students
- 31,237
- 21,388 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $43,328
- From · 2026-27
About Pitt
The University of Pittsburgh traces its roots to the Pittsburgh Academy, chartered in 1787 by Hugh Henry Brackenridge, making it one of the few US universities founded in the 18th century. Today it is a state-related public research university and a member of the Association of American Universities, with 31,237 students on its Pittsburgh campus in fall 2025 (21,388 undergraduates and 9,849 graduate students) plus regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville.
The 132-acre campus in the Oakland neighborhood is centered on the 42-story Cathedral of Learning. Undergraduates enter schools including the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Swanson School of Engineering, School of Computing and Information, School of Nursing, School of Business and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The David C. Frederick Honors College, Guaranteed Admissions Programs into graduate and professional schools, and co-op programs add structure for ambitious students, and Pitt ranks No. 12 in the NSF research and development survey.
Pitt uses rolling admission and admitted 59.4% of 64,724 first-year applicants for fall 2025. It is test-optional through fall 2028. It suits students who want a large research university woven into a real city, with strong health sciences, nursing and engineering and plenty of internship and research options.
Veritas et Virtus
“Truth and Virtue” — university motto
Why students choose Pitt
Rolling admission with decisions roughly 6-8 weeks after your file is complete, and automatic merit scholarship review for applications completed by December 1.
Guaranteed Admissions Programs let strong first-years secure a future place in Pitt programs such as medicine, dental medicine and physician assistant studies.
The Pitt BSN is ranked No. 12 in the nation by US News (2027) and has been in the top 15 for six years running.
Pitt reports that 96% of recent graduates are working full-time or in graduate school within six months, and its Oakland campus sits next to the flagship UPMC hospitals for clinical and research experience.
Admissions
Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
38,477 admitted from 64,724 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
For fall 2025, 38,477 of 64,724 first-year applicants were admitted and 5,876 enrolled (Pittsburgh campus). Admission is rolling, and scholarships, honors and Guaranteed Admissions Programs are more competitive than general admission.
Deadlines
- Medicine Guaranteed Admissions Program Non-binding Next deadline · In 25 daysNovember 1, 2026
Supplemental application, STARS record, SAT/ACT scores and personal statement or Common App essay due by November 1 ET; applicants selected to continue are notified by December 1.
- Scholarship and Frederick Honors College priority Non-binding In 55 daysDecember 1, 2026
Complete applications by December 1 are automatically considered for academic scholarships and get priority Honors College review; the scholarship committee starts awarding in early October, so earlier is better.
- Rolling admission (fall 2027) Non-binding In ~6 monthsRolling; international applicants complete by April 1, 2027
Pitt has no set first-year deadline for domestic applicants and decides roughly 6-8 weeks after a file is complete. International first-years must complete by April 1 and by February 1 to be reviewed for international scholarships. Physician Assistant GAP applications are due December 15 and Dental Medicine GAP January 15.
Pitt publishes these deadlines by month and day for the fall 2027 application, which is open now. Early completion matters because scholarship funds shrink as December 1 approaches.
How to apply
Pitt Application or Common App (no preference), rank your campus preferences and choose a first-year entry school; STARS self-reported academic record (required except for international students); optional SAT/ACT; personal statement or Common App essay (required for scholarships, honors, international and test-optional applicants). Indicate interest in Frederick Honors College or a Guaranteed Admissions Program on the application.
What admissions looks for
- Academic strength measured by weighted GPA, rigor of curriculum (AP, IB, honors), class rank where available, and SAT/ACT if submitted.
- A personal statement that tells your story and adds information not found elsewhere in the application.
- For Frederick Honors College: drive and passion to reach new academic heights, judged on the whole portfolio including activities and essay quality.
- For Guaranteed Admissions Programs: commitment to the field and completion of each program's supplemental requirements.
Tips for applying to Pitt
- 1 Complete your file well before December 1: scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis from early October and funds decrease as the deadline nears.
- 2 Write the personal statement even if it looks optional; it is required for scholarships, honors, test-optional review and international applicants.
- 3 Fill in the STARS record exactly as your transcript reads, using the same name and email as your application.
- 4 If you are aiming at medicine, dentistry or physician assistant studies, apply to the matching Guaranteed Admissions Program and submit SAT/ACT scores.
- 5 International applicants cannot receive need-based aid; complete by February 1 for scholarship review of up to $10,000 a year.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for University of Pittsburgh
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Pitt awards need-based aid through the FAFSA and met on average 58.2% of need for first-year aid recipients in 2025-26. Academic scholarships range from $2,000 a year to full tuition plus room and board, including University Scholarships ($2,000 to $20,000 a year) and the Rees-Chancellor's Scholarship for Frederick Honors College students (US citizens and permanent residents). International students are not eligible for financial aid but can receive merit scholarships of up to $10,000 a year.
- $44,400 Pennsylvania resident; $66,134 out-of-state (tuition, fees and estimated expenses)
- Estimated cost of attendance 2026-27, Arts and Sciences
- $2,000-$20,000 per year for eight terms
- University Scholarships (merit)
- 58.2%
- Average need met, first-year aid recipients (2025-26)
- $19,110
- Average need-based grant, first-year students (2025-26)
- Up to $10,000 per year (complete application by February 1)
- International student scholarships
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (fall, spring and summer terms)
Nursing (BSN)
Ranked No. 12 by US News in its 2027 rankings and in the top 15 for six consecutive years.
Guaranteed Admissions Programs
First-year applicants can secure future admission to Pitt professional programs, including the School of Medicine, Dental Medicine and Physician Assistant studies, with separate deadlines.
David C. Frederick Honors College
Honors courses, research and co-curricular programs for highly motivated students, with the Rees-Chancellor's Scholarship covering full tuition, room, board and fees for a select few.
Swanson School of Engineering
Swanson engineers are leading work to modernize the US energy grid, making power generation and transmission more reliable, clean and affordable, according to Pitt.
School of Computing and Information
Computing and information science in a city Pitt describes as an epicenter of AI, with AI initiatives spanning health care and the humanities.
Research
- Pitt ranks No. 12 overall and No. 8 in health sciences in the NSF Higher Education Research and Development survey.
- Jonas Salk developed his polio vaccine in Pitt's Virus Research Lab, in the building now named Salk Hall.
- A record 444 invention disclosures in FY25 and 69 startups launched since 2021.
Schools & faculties
- Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
- Swanson School of Engineering
- School of Computing and Information
- School of Business
- School of Nursing
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- School of Public Health
- School of Education
- School of Social Work
- Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
- School of Pharmacy
- David C. Frederick Honors College
Pitt reports that 96% of recent graduates work full-time or are enrolled in graduate school within six months. College Scorecard reports median earnings of $66,125 ten years after entry for students who received federal aid.
Student life
More than 6,000 students live on campus in options that range from traditional residence halls to university-owned apartments, with gender-inclusive housing and Living Learning Communities for students with shared interests. Dining offers ten meal membership choices plus off-campus dining dollars, and Panther Central helps with housing issues 24/7. The Panthers compete in NCAA Division I in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the campus sits beside Schenley Park and the Carnegie Museums.
- The 42-story Cathedral of Learning is the campus centerpiece.
- Living Learning Communities and gender-inclusive housing options for residents.
- Pittsburgh Panthers athletics in NCAA Division I's Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Pitt has more than 411,000 alumni worldwide.
Housing. More than 6,000 students live on campus, in traditional residence halls and university-owned apartments.
Location
Pitt's main campus is in Oakland, Pittsburgh's university and medical district, next to the flagship hospitals of UPMC, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Schenley Park. Pittsburgh is a mid-sized city built around three rivers, and Pitt describes it as an epicenter of discussion about AI, with health care as a major employer. That puts internships and research placements close to campus.
Nearest airport: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Notable alumni
- GK Gene KellyDancer, actor and director (Singin' in the Rain); studied economics at Pitt
- WM Wangari MaathaiNobel Peace Prize laureate and environmental activist; master's in biology from Pitt
- PL Paul LauterburNobel laureate who developed MRI; graduate studies in chemistry at Pitt
- PS Philip Showalter HenchNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1950); MD from Pitt, 1920
- MC Michael ChabonPulitzer Prize-winning novelist; graduated from Pitt in 1984
- TD Tony DorsettHeisman Trophy winner who led Pitt to the 1976 national championship
- DM Dan MarinoHall of Fame NFL quarterback; All-American at Pitt
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Pittsburgh's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Pitt's Pittsburgh campus admitted 38,477 of 64,724 first-year applicants, about 59.4%. Honors, scholarships and Guaranteed Admissions Programs are much more selective.
Does Pitt have an application deadline?
Pitt uses rolling admission with no set deadline for domestic first-years, but complete your application by December 1 for automatic scholarship consideration and priority Honors College review. International first-years must complete by April 1 (February 1 for scholarships).
Is Pitt test-optional?
Yes, through fall 2028. If you submit scores, Pitt uses your highest ACT composite and SAT superscore; the middle 50% ACT for fall 2025 enrollees was 29-33. Some Guaranteed Admissions Programs require SAT or ACT scores.
How much does Pitt cost for out-of-state students?
For 2026-27, out-of-state tuition ranges from $43,328 (Arts and Sciences) to $55,072 (Nursing) plus $2,152 in fees. With estimated living expenses, an Arts and Sciences student's cost of attendance is about $66,134.
Does Pitt give financial aid to international students?
No need-based aid is available to international students, but those who complete a fall first-year application by February 1 are reviewed for scholarships of up to $10,000 a year.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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