Michigan vs. Pitt

Deciding between University of Michigan Ann Arbor 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.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • Pitt Pittsburgh, PA
  • Setting
  • Michigan Midsize City
  • Pitt Large City
  • Enrollment
  • Michigan 52,855
  • Pitt 35,724
  • Type
  • Michigan Public 4 Year
  • Pitt Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Michigan #48
  • Pitt #138
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Michigan -
  • Pitt -
  • Status
  • Michigan Non-profit
  • Pitt Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Michigan
  • Pitt

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Michigan $17,736
  • Pitt $21,926
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Michigan $60,946
  • Pitt $41,430
  • Room & Board
  • Michigan $15,328
  • Pitt $13,620
  • Average Net Price
  • Michigan $17,574
  • Pitt $25,223
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Michigan $25,099
  • Pitt $16,494
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Michigan 59%
  • Pitt 53%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Michigan 98,310
  • Pitt 60,898
  • Admitted
  • Michigan 15,373
  • Pitt 35,372
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Michigan 15.6%
  • Pitt 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Michigan 47.3%
  • Pitt 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Michigan 1450
  • Pitt 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Michigan 32
  • Pitt 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Michigan 3.88
  • Pitt 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Michigan A-
  • Pitt A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Michigan Exceptional
  • Pitt Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Michigan Very High
  • Pitt Low
  • ACT Range
  • Michigan 31/34
  • Pitt 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Michigan 1360/1530
  • Pitt 1280/1460
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Michigan Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Pitt Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Michigan Feb 1, 2027
  • Pitt

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Michigan 11:1
  • Pitt 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Michigan
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Pitt
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Michigan 90%
  • Pitt 79%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Michigan $74,400
  • Pitt $58,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Michigan 78%
  • Pitt 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Michigan $20,103
  • Pitt $26,909
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Michigan $207
  • Pitt $278

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Michigan 17%
  • Pitt 11%
  • % Women
  • Michigan 18%
  • Pitt 16%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Michigan Medium
  • Pitt Low
  • HBCU
  • Michigan No
  • Pitt No
  • % White
  • Michigan 62%
  • Pitt 74%
  • % Asian
  • Michigan 13%
  • Pitt 9%
  • % Black
  • Michigan 4%
  • Pitt 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Michigan 5%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % Native American
  • Michigan 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Michigan 0%
  • Pitt 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Michigan 3%
  • Pitt 3%
  • % International
  • Michigan 7%
  • Pitt 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Michigan 6%
  • Pitt 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Michigan 52%
  • Pitt 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Michigan 43%
  • Pitt 33%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI with University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor 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: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Michigan vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor than Pitt ($17,574 vs. $25,223).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 11.1% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($13,620 vs. $15,328).
  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 23.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $4,190 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $17,736.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at Michigan than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $19,516 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $41,430.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Ann Arbor than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (59% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students is 52.2% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($25,099 vs. $16,494).

Michigan vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1450) is 80 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Pitt).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan - 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: Michigan Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Pitt (3.79).
  • Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Michigan (15.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.3% at Michigan vs. 13% at Pitt.

Michigan vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
  • Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $6,806 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($20,103 vs. $26,909).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($207 vs. $278).
  • More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.