Founded in 1787, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. is a Public college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 19,123 full time undergraduate students, and 9,541 full time graduate students.
The University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 1762 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
55%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
45
SAT Range
1190-1380
ACT Range
27-32
Admissions at PITT are considered Selective, with ,147% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 86% were in the top quarter, and 54% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus.
1%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
22%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
45%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
60%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
57%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
38%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
12%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
64%
“We only party on weekends”
22%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
31%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
22%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
45%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
39%
“We bought the gear”
60%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
57%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
38%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
300 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
240 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
317 Students rated campus food 3.3 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
322 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
323 Students rated class size 3.7 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
321 Students rated school activities 4.3 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
323 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
322 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
139 Students rated University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
lakiya
Prospective04/30/2025
What attracts me most to the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is the strong sense of community and the walkable, welcoming environment. As someone who thrives in spaces where connection and belonging are possible, Pitt stands out as a place where I can not only grow academically but also feel at home.
I love that the campus is integrated into the city while still feeling like its own tight-knit neighborhood. The ability to walk from class to a coffee shop, a study spot in the Cathedral of Learning, or a student organization meeting helps make Pitt feel personal and accessible. I’m excited by how easy it seems to meet people, join clubs, and build friendships just by being out and about on campus.
What really draws me in is how Pitt creates opportunities to be involved—from social events and student organizations to shared spaces that encourage spontaneous connection. I’m looking forward to living and learning in a place where it’s normal to run into classmates on Forbes Avenue or strike up conversations in Schenley Plaza.
At the University of Pittsburgh, I see more than just academics—I see a community. A place where I can make meaningful friendships, take part in something bigger than myself, and truly enjoy the everyday moments of college life.
Toni
Prospective04/30/2025
One of my main reasons for wanting to attend the University of Pittsburgh is for its strong Engineering program. Out of all the colleges I visited, Pitt provided incoming freshmen with a well detailed outline of their program. On top of that, everyone there was extremely helpful and engaging, not only staff, but students on their way to class took time out of their day to answer questions I had about the community and workload at Pitt which I truly appreciated.
Along with that Pitt has some extremely strong ties to the community and provides students with many academic opportunities like research projects, internships, co-operatives, and study abroad experiences all where they can receive college credit as soon as freshman year. Besides academic programs, I found that Pitt students can also participate in numerous clubs and activities. When visiting, I stopped by the Black Action Society where they explained different events and activities they put on.
Pittsburgh campus sits in the middle of the city. As a student attending Pitt, you have the opportunity to take advantage of what the city offers. Food, Culture and Entertainment is right at your fingertips. Not to mention, there is quick access to neighboring universities and over 5 medical facilities.
Nicole
Prospective04/28/2025
I’m drawn to the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus for its strong computer science program and the unique opportunity to experience the small college feel within the larger university setting. The School of Computing and Information (SCI) offers a close-knit academic environment where I can engage closely with faculty and peers while still having access to the resources and opportunities of a large research university.
Being part of the Honors College is particularly appealing, as it provides a more personalized academic experience, along with greater research opportunities and collaboration. Pitt’s location in Pittsburgh, with its thriving tech industry, also provides excellent internship and networking prospects.
To make Pitt my first choice, I would love to see even more interdisciplinary opportunities and global exchange programs to broaden my experiences.
Overall, I would rate the University of Pittsburgh highly for its academics, the Honors College, and the small college feel within a larger university, making it a top contender for my college choice.
Catherine
College04/28/2025
Pittsburgh is my alma mater. The first 4 years that I spent in Pittsburgh and attending Pitt were truly the best years of my life. Pittsburgh will always have a special place in my heart and in my mind. It is truly a campus like no other. It is its own city outside of the downtown city and everything you could every need is at your disposal. I am so proud to call myself a Pitt alum and I hope that I can yet again pursue a degree from the best University in the world.
Santiago
Prospective04/18/2025
The campus of the University of Pittsburgh is without a doubt my favorite campus of any school I've gotten the chance to visit. It combines the bustling city vibes that I've come to love about New York with a small-town backroads feel in some areas. And right at the heart of campus is a lush field with cherry trees and flowers everywhere, all surrounding the breathtaking Cathedral of Learning. Another thing I truly love about the campus is how diverse it is. Not only are the different schools close to each other, providing diversity in education and ideas of students, but also the general diversity of people. When I went to visit, I got to see how expansive and culturally diverse the campus was. Moreover, in the Cathedral of Learning itself, they have Nationality Rooms where each room reflects and mimics the feeling of other countries and still manages to stay true to the real thing.
Rachel
College04/16/2025
I chose to attend the Pitt, specifically the Pittsburgh campus, because of the overall balance of competitive education programs, opportunities for career advancement, and great campus life. Pitt was the top option for me working in the medical and athletic career field, and I knew I would get the most challenging and valuable experience here. Being able to work with top-notch medical personnel both in the clinic and in the classroom, as well as experiencing immersive clinical placements with the athletic teams is a life-changing experience and unlike anything else. Along with that, the culture around campus is one that really drew me in. Oakland and the people here offer a diverse environment, with plenty of different groups and activities to join in on. Pitt is an experience like no other.
joana
Prospective04/16/2025
I love that the university of Pittsburgh is so close together and students can walk from class to class. This generates a close knit community where everyone feels like they belong. The university is also located near the center of the city, making it very easy to get internship opportunities and work experience.
Lastly, the University of Pittsburgh is the medical center of Pittsburgh. As someone who wants to go pre med, having access to so many research and clinical opportunities will help me develop into the best doctor that I can be.
Maia
Prospective04/14/2025
I am so, so excited to attend this college! It's one of the few colleges in the country that offer an undergraduate public health program and a bachelor of philosophy degree. I am hoping to research birth and pregnancy outcomes of LGBTQ+ people, as it is wildly under-researched and actively being attacked. The university of Pittsburgh will support me in this dream through the honors college, school of Public Health, and graduate public health program.
samhita
Prospective04/11/2025
The Frederick Honors College will allow me to discover and foster new adventures. These adventures will bolster my worldview as I navigate the academic side of my education. Having a South Asian perspective, I aspire to take the honors course PIA 2223- City of White Supremacy to broaden my understanding of white supremacy from an American viewpoint. Furthermore, I feel I would find community in the "Honors 0008 – Foundations of Research and Scholarship". I am a student who strives to be thorough in my work. This course will endow me with the skills needed to conduct proper research, as well as the tools to apply those learned tactics to any of my future academic endeavors at the University of Pittsburgh. I greatly admire the focus on detail and rigor at the Frederick Honors College, as honors students are not only encouraged, but expected to deep dive into their particular study of interest through experiential credit. I will take advantage of the global experience the university offers and take "BUS 1906 - CAREER EXPLORATION INTERNSHIP" to understand my standards in a workplace environment and what is to be expected of me. The city of Pittsburgh offers much opportunity, which can only be enhanced as a University of Pittsburgh student.
liz
Prospective04/10/2025
The University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh is a very student-focused campus. Though in a large city, the campus feels like it's own little city. There is a large student population at the school yet the staff at Pitt seem to be accessible to students and dedicated to helping them succeed. For medical research, Pitt has a long history of groundbreaking discoveries from the polio vaccination, organ transplants and even breast cancer care that is still used today.
Chloe
Prospective04/09/2025
The campus is great and in a good area
Sydney
Prospective04/09/2025
The campus is right in the heart of Pittsburgh but still has that classic college feel to it. There's green areas and nature right in the middle of a city, giving you a good balance between a city and a college campus.
Abigail
Prospective04/04/2025
I was initially attracted to the University of Pittsburgh because of how beautiful the campus was, it is just so insanely divine. I love the bridges, and the view the college has, as well as how the seasons get to be seasons. Fall has its beautiful orange and red colors, the winter actually snows and someone who comes from Texas I would love to see more snow during Christmas., and the spring the flowers bloom like never before. I was also attracted to this University because the people seem so chill, and I want to experience the best in college including the classes. I am a pre law major with a minor in International relations, so I know Upitt has an amazing public affairs program. This is why I have committed to Upitt, but I would love to attend this school without worrying about spending my youth paying off loans, I want to live my college life in the best possible way and concentrate on studying instead of worrying about money each semester.
Charlotte
Prospective04/04/2025
I have been on the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus before, I was part of a study that some students were hosting. I've done a lot of research into the programs, and it offers everything that I need for the degree I want to pursue. Though I haven't interacted with much of the community, I've seen people on social media who attend, and everyone seems welcoming and happy to be there.
Ashley
08/23/2024
I love Pitt. Of course, there are pros and cons like every other school, but I honestly can't see myself at any other school. Getting involved, finding support, and building community is easy. The academics are strong 9 times out of 10, and I haven't met any professor who wasn't happy to be there. I would highly recommend Pitt to any student who wants to live in a city or have a very social campus life, and who wants a balance between academics, social life, and athletics.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is 55%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Before stepping foot onto a college campus, have an idea or an outline of what you would like to accomplish in your four years of college. Whether it's joining a club, looking for courses, or playing a sport, know what you're looking for out of a college. It will better enable you to choose your best fit. After choosing your college, take a tour of the campus and learn everything you need to know about it. Know where you can go to get help academically, financially, etc. Having this information helps in the long run. Also, become very active on your campus. Students that are active tend to succeed better not only socially, but also academically. When you find your niche, it propels you up the ladder of success. Last but not least, network, network, network. Networking gives you a plethora of connections worldwide. When you network and make bonds with people in your prospective job area, you create a greater access to obtaining what you ultimate goal is--and that's graduating as a well-rounded adult capable and ready to delve into your career.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
The staff here are exceedingly helpful and agreeable. They are very timely as well. That's actually harder to find than one might think. Also, the setting of the university in a city always felt safe and they keep the campus fairly clean. They also have a very active career counseling center.
I am a political science/English double major and am working towards a Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies certificate as well. I've found the professors to be very helpful and invested. There are a ton of extra curricular items for my major that allow me to supplement my learning.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known that in arts-related fields, the focus of the programs are more on continuing education and academic success than on preparing students for a job market. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for four years studying Journalism and Communications, but wasn't offered classes in Internet or computer-based Journalism. Classes were focused solely on the craft of writing and persuasion. Now with my B.A., I consider myself a fabulous writer and communicator, but in a tough job market, employers need practical skills to make one more Internet savvy.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
There are over 400 student organizations at Pitt, each of them have its own unique goals and attractiveness. The huge Fall student activities fair is held annually at the Peterson Events Center, where more than 5,000 students show up to learn about all the campus organizations and get involve with one or two new ones. Campus organizations are a big deal in the life of a Pitt student. I don't think I have met anyone that's not part of any organization on campus. Since there's so many clubs, there is bound to be one or two clubs out there that fits the interest of each student.
There are many huge and famous events throughout the year. The biggest community service event is the PItt make a difference day, in which almost all 400 campus organizations join together to go around Pittsburgh on a Saturday to clean the streets, plan trees, and other community service. Giving blood is also another big event on campus. Central blood bank and American Red Cross visits Pitt almost ever month to seek for donors and volunteers. Lastly, Pitt basketball and football games are events that students hate to miss, and they will skill studying for a morning exam in order to see Pitt go against colleges like Notre Dame or Syracuse.
Dorm life is very essential to a Pitt student's college journey. Students are guaranteed housing for three years, and most students stay on campus for all three years before moving off campus for their senior year. The RAs on campus are very outgoing, caring, and understanding to every student that they are in charge of. They help make dorm life safer and more fun. Living on campus is the best thing a student can do in college, because a student is literally missing everything if he/she lives off campus.
The best thing about Pitt? There isn't just one thing...
I love the fact that it is small enough to intimately get to know many of the students and staff, but big enough to be able to avoid seeing that guy you hooked up with last weekend. I also love that it is so closely located to so many great things: other schools (CMU is not even a mile away from my apartment), great museums, good places to shop...and it is also close enough to Ohio and Maryland so that you can take roadtrips to visit your friends at other schools very easily. I spend most of my time in the library, or in the sorority suite when I am on campus. People don't always react well well I tell them I go to Pitt, but I really don't care because in the end of the day I am the one who goes here (and loves it). Pitt is a perfect mixture of a college town and a city environment. There is a campus, yet you still feel like you are in an urban environment. There is plenty of school pride.
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
Since Carnegie Mellon University is so near, there is a tendency to think that students at Pitt are dumb, because they are at Pitt instead of CMU...there is a similar tendency to think that since none of the branch campuses are far away, the only reason a student would go to them is that s/he could not get into the main campus.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
Someone who is afraid of getting lost on a large campus. University of Pittsburgh has a very large student population, so don't plan on attending this college if you easily get lost in the crowd- and don't like it!
My school is best known for the research it does. It is a very research based school, especially when it comes to the scientific fields. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is a huge hospital and research chain throughout Pittsburgh This school also strives for academic excellence as well as prides itself in athletics. Our football and basketball teams are nationally ranked, so we have a lot of school spirit here.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I brag about the closeness of the student body. We all banded together at the end of the Spring 2012 semester due to repeated bomb threats. Upperclassmen opened their apartment doors to underclassmen so they could actually get some sleep without getting evacuated. Morale was kept up through that time. Most of the student body attends the football games.
Students here bleed blue and gold. There is always a student section at every game whether male or female. Athletics are a huge part of what makes Pitt... Pitt!
The thing students most complain about at Pitt is the wifi. The wifi can be very strong one day, and down or almost nonexistent the next. Some places on campus have better connectivity than others, and some places in buildings have better connectivity than others.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
77% of students attending University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus receive some sort of financial aid.
13% were awarded federal grants.56%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
