University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh is a public, state-related research university in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, anchored by its 42-story Cathedral of Learning and known for strengths in the health sciences, engineering, and biological research. Admission is rolling and moderately selective — about 59% of nearly 65,000 applicants are offered admission, and enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA around 4.13. Pitt enrolls roughly 21,400 undergraduates, retains 93% of its first-years, and graduates 86% within six years. Engineering, business, and the health professions are among the most popular fields, and Pitt remains test-optional with no Early Decision or Early Action plan.
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Pitt admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
Pitt does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Pitt is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Pitt's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 27% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Pitt does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Pitt weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Pitt's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $20,696 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Pitt admissions
Is it hard to get into Pitt?＋
Not especially — the University of Pittsburgh is moderately selective, admitting about 59% of applicants in the most recent cycle from a pool of roughly 65,000. Admission is rolling rather than deadline-based, and enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA around 4.13, so strong grades in a rigorous course load matter more than clearing a single cutoff.
What is Pitt's acceptance rate?＋
The University of Pittsburgh admitted about 59% of applicants in the most recent cycle, receiving roughly 65,000 applications and enrolling around 5,900 first-year students. Because Pitt uses rolling admission, decisions go out throughout the cycle, so applying early generally works in your favor.
What are my chances of getting into Pitt from out of state?＋
Pitt does not publish a separate out-of-state admit rate, but it draws a national class: about 35% of undergraduates come from outside Pennsylvania. State residency and geographical residence are each weighed only as 'considered' factors in Pitt's holistic review, so out-of-state applicants are evaluated on the same academic strengths as in-state ones, not penalized for residency the way some flagships do.
Does Pitt require the SAT or ACT?＋
No — the University of Pittsburgh is test-optional, so you can apply without scores. Among recent first-years the middle 50% scored about 1270 to 1450 on the SAT and 29 to 33 on the ACT, and standardized tests are 'considered' rather than required, meaning a strong application can stand on grades and rigor alone.
Is a 1400 SAT good enough for Pitt?＋
Yes — a 1400 is a competitive score at Pitt, sitting comfortably in the upper half of enrolled students. The middle 50% of first-years scored 1270 to 1450 on the SAT (29 to 33 ACT), so a 1400 lands near the 75th percentile and is well worth submitting under Pitt's test-optional policy.
What GPA do you need to get into Pitt?＋
Admitted first-years at the University of Pittsburgh report an average high school GPA of about 4.13. There is no fixed minimum, but academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record are both weighed as very important factors, so competitive applicants pair strong grades with a demanding schedule.
How much does Pitt cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
For 2025-2026, annual tuition and required fees run about $22,736 for Pennsylvania residents and $43,432 for out-of-state students, with on-campus housing and food adding roughly $15,728. As a state-related public university, Pitt charges PA residents substantially less, so in-state status is the biggest single lever on cost.
Does the application essay matter at Pitt?＋
Yes — the University of Pittsburgh rates the application essay as a very important factor, on par with GPA and the rigor of your coursework and above standardized test scores, which are only 'considered.' If you apply test-optional, the personal statement carries even more weight, making a specific, well-revised essay one of the clearest ways to stand out.
Source: University of Pittsburgh Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Average GPA, Middle 50% SAT, and Middle 50% ACT are from the 2023-2024 edition. Out-of-State Students is from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Pitt. Banner photo by Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).