Pitt vs. Wisconsin

Deciding between University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus and University of Wisconsin Madison? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University of Wisconsin Madison

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Pitt Pittsburgh, PA
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • Pitt Large City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Enrollment
  • Pitt 35,724
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • Pitt Public 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Pitt #138
  • Wisconsin #109
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Pitt -
  • Wisconsin -
  • Status
  • Pitt Non-profit
  • Wisconsin Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Pitt
  • Wisconsin

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Pitt $21,926
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Pitt $41,430
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & Board
  • Pitt $13,620
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average Net Price
  • Pitt $25,223
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Pitt $16,494
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Pitt 53%
  • Wisconsin 35%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Pitt 60,898
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • Pitt 35,372
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Pitt 58.1%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Pitt 13%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pitt 1370
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pitt 31
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Pitt 3.79
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Pitt A-
  • Wisconsin A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Pitt Very High
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Pitt Low
  • Wisconsin Low
  • ACT Range
  • Pitt 29/33
  • Wisconsin 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Pitt 1280/1460
  • Wisconsin 1380/1520
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Pitt Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Wisconsin Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Pitt
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Pitt 13:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Pitt
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Pitt 79%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Pitt $58,000
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Pitt 75%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Pitt $26,909
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Pitt $278
  • Wisconsin $230

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Pitt 11%
  • Wisconsin 12%
  • % Women
  • Pitt 16%
  • Wisconsin 13%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Pitt Low
  • Wisconsin Low
  • HBCU
  • Pitt No
  • Wisconsin No
  • % White
  • Pitt 74%
  • Wisconsin 76%
  • % Asian
  • Pitt 9%
  • Wisconsin 6%
  • % Black
  • Pitt 5%
  • Wisconsin 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Pitt 3%
  • Wisconsin 5%
  • % Native American
  • Pitt 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Pitt 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Pitt 3%
  • Wisconsin 3%
  • % International
  • Pitt 4%
  • Wisconsin 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Pitt 1%
  • Wisconsin 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Pitt 64%
  • Wisconsin 45%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Pitt 33%
  • Wisconsin 46%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Pitt based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 35,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Pitt vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than Pitt ($14,235 vs. $25,223).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 3.6% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,620 vs. $14,124).
  • University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 89% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $10,323 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $11,603.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $673 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $41,430.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at University of Wisconsin Madison (53% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($17,741 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 80 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
  • Incoming Pitt students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Wisconsin (31).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Wisconsin - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin (45.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Pitt vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,659 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,909).
  • Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($230 vs. $278).
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.