Pitt vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Pitt vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Pitt ($18,427 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 8% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,620 vs. $14,800).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $123 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at UVA than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $18,082 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at University of Virginia Main Campus (53% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 74.1% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($28,715 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 110 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UVA - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 40% at UVA.

Pitt vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($201 vs. $278).
• More UVA 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.