BS Computational Social Science at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The major prepares students to address complex multi-scale challenges such as climate change, transnational political violence, cybersecurity and privacy, social polarization and inequality. It draws on Pitt's strengths in social science theory and in computing, informatics and networked systems.

Faculty: School of Computing and Information | Duration: 120+ credits; 4 to 6 years to complete | Intake: Spring start January 11 listed; rolling admissions, no set deadline | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

All SCI degrees need at least 120 credits and a 2.00 overall GPA, covering foundation courses, general education, major requirements, a secondary field and a capstone. Major courses include social science classes, computational approaches and basic tools, social science research design, ethics, integrated analytics, and a domain specialization. The capstone is a project producing an interactive data visualization, a replicable report on unstructured data, or a module or library.

Career pathways

Graduate study in information science, social science and data science, and work in consulting, tech, start-ups, analytics firms and non-profits. Top job titles include software engineer, data analyst and systems analyst.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University of Pittsburgh first-year applicants: apply with the Pitt Application or the Common Application ($55 fee); the STARS self-reported transcript record is required of all first-year applicants except international students; official SAT or ACT scores are optional under the test-optional policy extended through Fall 2028 (highest ACT composite or SAT superscore used when submitted); a personal statement is required to be considered for scholarships. Rolling admissions with no set deadline; December 1 is the date for automatic academic scholarship consideration, and February 1 for international first-year scholarships. International applicants use the passport legal name, and an InitialView interview is optional.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 21,594 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident undergraduate tuition for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and other expenses are listed separately and excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 43,328 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) undergraduate tuition for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring); Pitt charges non-PA residents the out-of-state rate. Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and oth Source

First-year entry for Fall 2027 is open; the University operates on rolling admission with no set application deadline. Fall term begins August 23 and spring term begins January 10 for the admitted first-year cycle shown.

Transfer students may apply for fall, spring and summer terms (Swanson School of Engineering also lists Fall, Spring and Summer entry; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Education and Pharmacy are Fall only).

First-year applicants apply with the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application (neither is preferred); the application fee is $55. There is no set deadline (rolling admission). The STARS self-reported academic record is required for first-year applicants except international students.

The SAT/ACT is optional: the test-optional policy runs through fall 2028 for first-year and transfer applicants, including international and homeschool applicants. Proof of English proficiency is required from international students.

International first-year applicants for fall who complete their application before February 1 are automatically reviewed for international student scholarships; international undergraduate applicants must apply by April 1 for fall and summer entry and by October 1 for spring entry.

Transfer applications are on rolling admission in the Dietrich School, Business, General Studies and Public Health (recommended complete by July 30 for fall and December 1 for spring; international deadlines May 1 fall, October 1 spring, February 15 summer). Swanson Engineering: Fall July 30, Spring December 1, Summer April 1 (international May 1, October 1, February 15). Nursing: Fall April 1, Spring November 1 (international Fall April 1, Spring October 1). Computing and Information: Fall early March 1, final May 1 international and June 15 domestic, Spring October 1, Summer February 1. Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Education programmes: Fall only, March 1 priority deadline. Pharmacy applies through PharmCAS.

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