University in United States
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
University profile
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a state-related public research university in Pennsylvania, founded in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy. It is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of 64 doctorate-granting research institutions in North America, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The University offers 755 degree and certificate programs.
The main campus is in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, centred on the 42-story Cathedral of Learning, the tallest academic building in the Western Hemisphere. Schenley Park, with 456 acres of trails and woods, is a short walk or bike ride from the campus. Four regional campuses, Pitt-Bradford, Pitt-Greensburg, Pitt-Johnstown and Pitt-Titusville, offer a smaller liberal-arts-style setting within the University.
Undergraduate and graduate study is organised in schools and colleges: the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the Katz Graduate School of Business and undergraduate School of Business, the Swanson School of Engineering, the School of Computing and Information, the School of Education, the School of Nursing, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Medicine, the School of Law, the School of Public Health, the School of Social Work, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, the College of General Studies and the David C. Frederick Honors College. Fourteen schools offer advanced degrees.
Pitt is known for medical and life-science research, including the world's first polio vaccine, and for work in engineering, energy and assistive technology. Its BSN programme has been ranked in the top 15 by U.S. News & World Report for six consecutive years, and in NSF research and development spending Pitt ranks No. 12 overall and No. 8 in health sciences.
On-campus residence life serves more than 6,000 students in traditional residence halls and university-owned apartments, with gender-inclusive housing and Learning Living Communities. Schenley Quadrangle holds five of the Pittsburgh campus's 14 residence halls. Pitt Panthers compete in intercollegiate athletics, with football played at Acrisure Stadium.
International students from more than 100 countries study at Pitt; 3,200 international students from 112 countries were enrolled in 2023-24. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, and F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and apply for Curricular Practical Training for off-campus work.
Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state residents are charged different tuition rates (effective Academic Year 2026-2027). For the Pittsburgh campus, full-time tuition for two terms is $21,594 for PA residents and $43,328 for out-of-state students in Arts and Sciences, Education, Public Health, Social Work, Public and International Affairs and General Studies; Business $24,122 / $48,812; Engineering $23,954 / $47,312; Computing and Information $24,644 / $49,532; Nursing and Health and Rehabilitation Sciences $27,186 / $55,072; Pharmacy $38,176 / $46,528. International undergraduates are assessed an International Services Fee of $500 per fall and spring term. See tuition rates.
Need-based financial aid is not available to international undergraduate students. International first-year students applying for fall who complete their application by February 1 are automatically reviewed for international student scholarships of up to $10,000 per year, generally for eight full-time undergraduate terms. Completing the Short Answer Question (or Common App essay/personal statement) is required; there is no separate application. Awardees are notified by April 1. International transfer students are not eligible for these scholarships, but admitted students can search PittFundsMe. See international student scholarships.
Academic scholarships range from $2,000 per year to full tuition plus room and board and are based on academic achievement, personal statement and potential contribution. First-year applicants who complete their application by December 1 are automatically considered; the Scholarship Committee begins awarding in early October. The Rees-Chancellor's Scholarship (full tuition, mandatory fees, average room and board and guaranteed Frederick Honors College housing), the Stamps Scholarship and the Nordenberg Leadership Scholarship are for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A $300 enrollment fee is required to confirm a scholarship. Admitted and current students can use the PittFundsMe database. See scholarships.
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View scholarships for University of Pittsburgh →Pitt operates a rolling admission policy for first-year applicants with no set application deadline; applying early helps with scholarships, Frederick Honors College and the Guaranteed Admission Programs. Applicants use either the Pitt Application or the Common Application, with no preference between them. The application fee is $55. A senior-year curriculum is reviewed as part of a holistic review, and applicants choose a first-year entry school and rank campus preferences. A personal statement is required to be considered for scholarships. First-year applicants who complete their application and all required materials by December 1 are automatically considered for University academic scholarships.
Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record (STARS) is required of all first-year applicants except international students. Pitt is test-optional through Fall 2028 for the Pittsburgh campus; applicants who submit scores have their highest ACT composite and highest SAT superscore used (ACT superscore if sent directly from ACT). SAT code 2927; ACT code 3734. SAT Essay and ACT Writing are not required. Some programmes such as business, engineering and nursing have specific math and science entry requirements.
International first-year applicants complete their application by April 1 for the fall term (August) or October 1 for the spring term (January); the application opens August 1. Decisions are typically made 6-8 weeks after the application is complete. Required: the online application, either a personal statement or the Common App essay, original or certified official secondary school records for the equivalent of U.S. grades 9-11 (with literal English translations where needed), and any national or state examination results required in the home country. Transcripts should be emailed as PDF to [email protected]. Schools not structured like four-year U.S. high schools submit the four most recent years of records. A transcript evaluation may be requested. Credits from universities outside the U.S. require official post-secondary records, course catalog or syllabi and Pitt's own evaluation; evaluations by other institutions or private services are not accepted.
International students are typically required to submit an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo), with some waivers possible. TOEFL institutional code is 2927. The full legal name as on the passport must be used on all documents, and the permanent home address must be a foreign physical address (no PO Box) so an I-20 can be issued. Proof of financial support is required of admitted students who plan to enroll. Interviews are not offered, but applicants may submit an InitialView interview. Use high school code 000004 or college code 009900 if the school is not listed.
International transfer applications are due May 1 for fall (August), October 1 for spring (January) and February 15 for summer (May); the School of Pharmacy (PharmCAS) and the Schools of Education, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Computing and Information and Social Work have separate deadlines. Applicants answer a short written question. Applicants apply through the Common Application or the Pitt portal.
Admission to master's and doctoral programmes is handled by each of Pitt's 14 schools offering advanced degrees, not by the undergraduate admissions office; applicants use the Degree Finder to find programme details and contact the home school (for example Arts and Sciences [email protected], Engineering [email protected], Business [email protected]).
Pittsburgh campus residence life and dining: more than 6,000 students live on campus, with 14 residence halls and university-owned apartments.
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