Pitt vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Pitt vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($25,223 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 14% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($13,620 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 116.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $25,579 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Jefferson than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $6,075 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 112.2% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($35,007 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Pitt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 120 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Jefferson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Pitt vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $64,900 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($12,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $149 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($129 vs. $278).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.