Top Public · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Moderately selective. 58.1% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Pitt oddsHow hard is it to get into Pitt?
Pitt is moderately selective, with a 58.1% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1310–1500 on the SAT and 28–33 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 58.1% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1310–1500 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 28–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $35,610 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $25,190 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 19,852 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 86.1% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs after entry) | $71,300 |
| Type | Public · Top Public |
| Setting | Large urban |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Pitt's 58.1% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1310–1500 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1310. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Pitt?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorBeyond the Numbers
Pitt is best known for UPMC-driven pre-health pipelines, its tight connection with Carnegie Mellon, and the university honors college. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Cost & Financial Aid
The published cost of attendance at Pitt is $35,610 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $25,190per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.
Outcomes
Federal data on what happens after enrollment at Pitt:
Graduation rate
86.1%
6-year (federal IPEDS)
Median earnings
$71,300
10 yrs after entry
22.0% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 47.0%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.
Pitt essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Pitt essays with tools tuned to Pitt's prompts.
Pitt vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitt This page | 58.1% | 1310–1500 | $25,190 |
| UC Berkeley | 11.0% | — | $13,481 |
| UCLA | 9.0% | — | $12,548 |
| UC San Diego | 26.7% | — | $12,470 |
| Michigan | 15.6% | 1360–1530 | $13,138 |
| UNC | 15.3% | 1390–1530 | $11,655 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Pitt?
Pitt is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 58.1%. Admitted students score in the 1310–1500 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Pitt?
Admitted students at Pitt typically score between 1310 and 1500 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1310. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
How much does Pitt cost?
The published cost of attendance at Pitt is $35,610 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,190. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.
What is the graduation rate at Pitt?
86.1% of students at Pitt graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Pitt's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Pitt Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Pitt's most recent publicly published admit cycle.