Students at the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus achieve earnings that place the institution among the top quarter of public universities nationwide, with particularly strong outcomes for graduates across all income backgrounds.
The university's combination of academic rigor and professional program strength translates into meaningful long-term financial advantages for graduates.
Azimuth ranks the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus 86th out of approximately 700 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 12% for overall value. What distinguishes Pitt is its ability to deliver exceptionally strong long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining the academic rigor and research opportunities of a major flagship university. Graduates earn a median of $66,125 ten years after enrollment, positioning the institution in the 86th percentile nationally for earnings performance.
As a large public research university in Pennsylvania, Pitt combines academic excellence with substantial career advantages. The university's strength lies particularly in professional programs like nursing, engineering, and business, where graduates consistently achieve above-average earnings and strong job placement rates. While access is more limited than at typical public universities—with only 14% of students receiving Pell Grants—those who attend benefit from robust alumni networks and employer relationships that translate into meaningful career advantages.
Pitt represents a selective public option that delivers outcomes typically associated with elite private institutions. For families who can manage the higher net prices, the university offers a compelling combination of academic prestige, research opportunities, and long-term financial returns that justify the investment for many students.
The University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers a diverse program portfolio with particular strength in professional fields that lead directly to well-compensated careers. Adult Health Nursing exemplifies this approach, combining substantial enrollment of 271 graduates with strong earnings of $60,207, creating the university's highest aggregate return program. Psychology, as the largest major with 397 graduates, demonstrates Pitt's commitment to liberal arts education, though earnings of $29,833 reflect the varied career paths available to social science graduates.
Engineering programs deliver some of the university's strongest financial outcomes, with Industrial Engineering graduates earning $69,835 early in their careers—among the highest starting salaries across all majors. This performance reflects both the quality of Pitt's engineering programs and the strong demand for technical talent in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. The university's location provides excellent internship and job placement opportunities in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
Pitt's program mix emphasizes professional preparation and research opportunities that translate into career advantages. Health sciences, engineering, and business programs form the core of the university's high-return offerings, while strong liberal arts programs provide foundational education that supports diverse career paths. As a major research university, Pitt graduates benefit from faculty expertise, research experience, and alumni networks that extend well beyond the immediate Pittsburgh area, creating national and international career opportunities.
Graduates of the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $66,125, ranking in the 86th percentile among all public universities. This performance reflects both the university's academic rigor and its strong connections to high-paying industries, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and business sectors where Pitt maintains excellent employer relationships.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly but trend toward strong earnings potential. Adult Health Nursing stands out as the highest aggregate-return major, combining substantial enrollment of 271 graduates with solid earnings of $60,207, making it a key economic driver for the university. Industrial Engineering delivers some of Pitt's highest early-career pay at $69,835, while Psychology—the largest major with 397 graduates—shows more moderate earnings at $29,833, reflecting the diverse career paths available to liberal arts graduates. The university's program mix emphasizes professional and pre-professional tracks that lead directly into well-compensated careers, with particular strength in health sciences, engineering, and business programs that consistently deliver above-average financial returns for graduates.
Affordability at the University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus presents challenges for many families, with net prices that rank in the lower tier nationally. Low-income students pay approximately $17,007 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $26,179, and high-income families see net prices of $34,824. These figures place Pitt in the 19th percentile for affordability, meaning costs are higher than at most comparable public universities.
The university's pricing structure reflects its positioning as a selective public research institution, where higher costs correspond to enhanced academic resources, research opportunities, and career services. While sticker prices are substantial, the university does provide meaningful financial aid that reduces costs for qualifying families. However, many students and families find themselves relying on borrowing to bridge the gap between aid and actual costs, with typical federal student loan debt reaching $24,250 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $29,237. For families who can manage these higher upfront investments, the long-term earnings outcomes often justify the additional expense, but affordability remains a significant consideration in the enrollment decision.
University Of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
