Alabama vs. Pitt

Deciding between The University of Alabama and University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Alabama
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Pitt Pittsburgh, PA
  • Setting
  • Alabama Small City
  • Pitt Large City
  • Enrollment
  • Alabama 40,846
  • Pitt 35,724
  • Type
  • Alabama Public 4 Year
  • Pitt Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Alabama #416
  • Pitt #138
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Alabama -
  • Pitt -
  • Status
  • Alabama Non-profit
  • Pitt Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Alabama
  • Pitt

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Alabama $12,180
  • Pitt $21,926
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Alabama $34,172
  • Pitt $41,430
  • Room & Board
  • Alabama $15,016
  • Pitt $13,620
  • Average Net Price
  • Alabama $22,559
  • Pitt $25,223
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Alabama $17,503
  • Pitt $16,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Alabama 80%
  • Pitt 53%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Alabama 56,795
  • Pitt 60,898
  • Admitted
  • Alabama 43,531
  • Pitt 35,372
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Alabama 76.6%
  • Pitt 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Alabama 18.5%
  • Pitt 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alabama 1290
  • Pitt 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alabama 27
  • Pitt 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Alabama 3.76
  • Pitt 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Alabama A-
  • Pitt A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Alabama Very High
  • Pitt Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Alabama
  • Pitt Low
  • ACT Range
  • Alabama 24/31
  • Pitt 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Alabama 1170/1400
  • Pitt 1280/1460
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Alabama Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Pitt Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Alabama May 1, 2027
  • Pitt

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Alabama 19:1
  • Pitt 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Alabama
    • Business (29%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Pitt
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Alabama 66%
  • Pitt 79%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Alabama $49,900
  • Pitt $58,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Alabama 59%
  • Pitt 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Alabama $23,750
  • Pitt $26,909
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Alabama $245
  • Pitt $278

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Alabama 6%
  • Pitt 11%
  • % Women
  • Alabama 10%
  • Pitt 16%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Alabama Low
  • Pitt Low
  • HBCU
  • Alabama No
  • Pitt No
  • % White
  • Alabama 78%
  • Pitt 74%
  • % Asian
  • Alabama 1%
  • Pitt 9%
  • % Black
  • Alabama 11%
  • Pitt 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Alabama 4%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % Native American
  • Alabama 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Alabama 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Alabama 3%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % International
  • Alabama 2%
  • Pitt 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Alabama 0%
  • Pitt 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Alabama 40%
  • Pitt 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Alabama 59%
  • Pitt 33%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Alabama Yes
  • Pitt Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Alabama No
  • Pitt No
  • Meal Plan
  • Alabama Yes
  • Pitt Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Alabama Yes
  • Pitt No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Alabama Yes
  • Pitt No

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
  • The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Alabama vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 The University of Alabama than Pitt ($22,559 vs. $25,223).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 9.3% lower than at The University of Alabama ($13,620 vs. $15,016).
  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 80% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $9,746 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $12,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Pitt than at The University of Alabama (about $7,258 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $34,172.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (80% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 6.1% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($17,503 vs. $16,494).

Alabama vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 80 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
  • Incoming Pitt students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Alabama).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Alabama (3.76).
  • Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Pitt (58.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 13% at Pitt.

Alabama vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than The University of Alabama's (66%).
  • Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Alabama graduates have a $3,159 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($23,750 vs. $26,909).
  • Among borrowers, Alabama graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($245 vs. $278).
  • More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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.