Penn vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Penn vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or Pitt? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Pennsylvania than Pitt ($23,570 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 29% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($13,620 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 213.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $46,760 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at Penn than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $27,256 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at University of Pennsylvania (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 296.9% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($65,458 vs. $16,494).

Penn vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn or Pitt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pitt and Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 170 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 13% at Pitt.

Penn vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and Pitt? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $65,600 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,276 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($213 vs. $278).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.