U of R vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY 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 U of R based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 11,946 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Rochester 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 Rochester 9:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

U of R vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than U of R ($25,223 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 31.2% lower than at University of Rochester ($13,620 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 205.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $45,154 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.9% higher at U of R than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $25,650 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (72% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 175.9% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($45,500 vs. $16,494).

U of R vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or Pitt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pitt and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 110 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming U of R students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Rochester 1410/1540; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Rochester 31/34; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Pitt students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at U of R (3.75).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 13% at Pitt.

U of R vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and Pitt? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $2,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($253 vs. $278).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.