University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
- Graduation Rate
- 85% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $66,125 A
- Top 9% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $30,434 F
- 78% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 58% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,572,859.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 62% more than the national college median.
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A 85% graduation rate — 49% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Pittsburgh Matters
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a public research university in Pittsburgh, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 9% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 20,370
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Pittsburgh
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 58% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1280–1460. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,434 a year after grants and scholarships — 78% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $66,125 ten years after enrolling — 62% above the typical college, against $24,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.66 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 20,400 students, the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a solid choice for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 58% means that while it’s selective, there’s a good chance for many aspiring students to find their place here. What really stands out is the graduation rate of 85%, indicating a supportive environment that helps students stay on track to complete their degrees.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect a solid financial return. The average earnings ten years after graduation sit at $66,125, which gives a good indication of the value of a degree from Pitt. This can be particularly appealing for students considering the affordability of their education. While the median debt stands at $24,250, the relatively low percentage of students receiving Pell Grants (14%) suggests that many students are able to manage costs effectively without relying heavily on need-based aid.
Looking at the practical side, the net price after aid is around $30,434. This number can help families budget for college expenses. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are motivated and ready to engage with a vibrant campus community while pursuing rigorous academic programs. With a strong support system in place, this university can be a great stepping stone toward a successful future.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 58% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,370. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 58%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1370
- ACT Midpoint
- 31
- SAT Range
- 1280–1460
- ACT Range
- 29–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,140
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 21%
- Applicants
- 53,072
- Admitted
- 26,079
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is $41,430, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,434. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,926
- Out-of-State
- $41,430
- Avg Net Price
- $30,434
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 14%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 36%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,709
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,371
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,192
- Family Income $110K+
- $36,008
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $66,125, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,240
- 8 Years
- $61,823
- 10 Years
- $66,125
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,640)
- 69%
- 100% (2,640)
- 69%
- 100% (2,640)
- 69%
- 100% (2,640)
- 69%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,434/year ($121,736 total). Graduates earn $66,125 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,694,595 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,572,859 (13.9× your investment). The median debt is $24,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 85% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $121,736
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,694,595
- Net Return
- $1,572,859
- ROI Multiple
- 13.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,434
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-7,016,763
Top Programs
The fields University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Engineering 12%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Health Professions 11%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- English & Literature 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 58% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,370. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is $41,430, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,434. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $66,125, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Compare University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus.
- University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · Close peer84% grad $73,997 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · Close peer83% grad $71,631 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Close peer81% grad $65,337 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Baylor UniversityWaco, TX · Close peer80% grad $65,793 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · Close peer86% grad $63,435 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer75% grad $63,727 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note