Verified data from IPEDS & College Scorecard

Penn State vs University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

University Park, PA · Pittsburgh, PA · Source: IPEDS federal database

Penn StateUniversity of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Acceptance Rate54.2%49.7%
In-State Tuition$20,234$21,524
Out-of-State Tuition$40,188$39,890
Average Net Price$27,450$24,338
Graduation Rate86.0%84.0%

GradFax Analysis

Penn State accepts 54.2% of applicants. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus accepts 49.7%. Tuition is close: $20,234 at Penn State, $21,524 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Six-year graduation rates are close: 86% at Penn State, 84% at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus.

Bottom Line

After aid, the average student pays $27,450/year at Penn State and $24,338/year at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is cheaper for most people.

Source: IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Full interactive comparison →Penn State profileUniversity of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus profile

Common Questions

Which is harder to get into, Penn State or University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. It accepts 49.7% of applicants, per IPEDS data.

Source: IPEDS

Is Penn State or University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus more affordable?

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, on average. After aid, students pay $24,338/year versus $27,450/year. Your number depends on your aid package.

Source: IPEDS

Which has a better graduation rate?

Penn State: 86% of students finish in 6 years. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is at 84%.

Source: IPEDS

Data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), a federal database maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. Figures represent the most recent available academic year.

Penn State vs University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus: Acceptance Rate, Tuition & Outcomes (2026) | GradFax