Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
49.7% Acceptance Rate
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
49.7%Acceptance Rate
3.79Avg GPA
1371Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$36,707Annual Cost
$66,125Grad Salary
13.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
49.7%
Avg GPA
3.79
Avg SAT
1371
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1270–1450
ACT Middle 50%
29–33
Avg Net Price
$30,074
Need-Based Aid
13.8% receive Pell
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pitt), founded in 1787, is a top public research university renowned for medicine, law, and computer science. Ranked #20 in Top Public Schools (U.S. News 2023).
The urban campus includes the Cathedral of Learning, biomedical research labs, and a sports complex. Its Oakland location provides access to UPMC and tech industry partnerships.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 49.7%, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 49.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.34
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is 3.79. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.49 and 3.79? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.99–4.19.University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.39 – 3.58
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.38
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Personal statement is optional for general admission but required for scholarships, Honors College, international applicants, and test-optional applicants.
- Guaranteed Admission Programs exist for Medicine, Information Sciences, and other tracks, requiring specific school selection and drop-down options at application time.
- Rolling admissions - no single fixed deadline; earlier applications get earlier decisions and more scholarship consideration.
- Swanson School of Engineering offers 10 ABET-accredited programs; Medicine Guarantee is domestic-only and excludes regional campuses.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Without SAT or ACT?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Average SAT Score: 1371
Admitted students at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus average a 1371 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1371 — Competitive
A 1371 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1450 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1270? A retake is worth it at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 680 | 630 | 730 |
| SAT Reading | 680 | 640 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1371 | 1270 | 1450 |
A score under 1270 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1450+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus with a 1450 SAT?
At 1450, your SAT is squarely in University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ACT Requirements
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's admitted students average an ACT of 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 31 | 27 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 29 | 33 |
Can I get into University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Use the Guaranteed Admission Program if you're set on Medicine, Engineering, or Information Sciences
Pitt lets you select a specific Guaranteed Admission Program (Medicine, Information Sciences, and others) directly on your application - for Medicine, you apply to Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, Public Health, or Bioengineering, then complete a two-question supplemental essay within 48-72 hours of your file processing. Decide before you submit whether you want to chase a guarantee track, since the supplemental request triggers automatically off your initial school/program selection.
Submit a personal statement even though it's technically optional, if any of four triggers apply to you
Pitt only requires the personal statement (or Common App essay) for scholarship consideration, Frederick Honors College review, international applicants, or test-optional applicants - otherwise it's genuinely skippable. If any of those four apply to you, don't submit a thin or recycled essay; it's doing real evaluative work in your file, not sitting unread.
Know the Medicine Guarantee is domestic, Pittsburgh-campus-only
International students and applicants to Pitt's regional campuses are explicitly ineligible for the Medicine Guaranteed Admission track. If you're an international applicant interested in Pitt's medical pipeline, ask admissions directly what alternative early-assurance or direct-entry options (if any) exist for your situation, since this specific guarantee won't apply.
Apply early given Pitt's rolling admissions cycle
Pitt processes applications on a rolling basis rather than a single fixed deadline, meaning earlier submission generally means earlier decisions and more scholarship/guarantee-program runway. Don't wait for a posted "deadline" mentality - treat this as a first-come, first-considered process for scholarship money specifically.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat Pitt as a single undifferentiated admission and miss that guaranteed-admission tracks (Medicine, Engineering, Information Sciences) require selecting the correct entry school AND the correct drop-down option at the time of application - retroactively requesting a guarantee after submission is generally not possible. Get this right the first time.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Profile
Full Name
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
City
Pittsburgh
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15260
Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Degree Worth It?
At $36,707/year against a $66,125 median graduate salary, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $58,500, and graduates see a 3.28% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Cost?
Listed tuition runs $36,707/year at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $30,074.
At University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, 13.8% receive a Pell Grant and 37.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates report a median income of $66,125, about 63% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
Degree Programs at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Admissions
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates earn a moderate median salary of $66,125/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is moderate, around $36,707/year; many students supplement with aid.
13.8% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's acceptance rate is 49.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus students is 3.79, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.49 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.39 or below makes admission tougher at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1371, and within the 1270–1450 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's deadline is December 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus charges an application fee of 55; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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