University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pitt) vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, home to two esteemed institutions of higher learning: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these institutions apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, discover the spectrum of popular majors available, and gain insights into the diverse student body demographics. Uncover the graduation rates that reflect the universities' dedication to student success. Our detailed analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, aligning your academic aspirations with the ideal educational environment.

	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Overview
Location	Champaign, Illinois	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.7%	66.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1320 - 1510	1250 - 1470
ACT range	29 - 34	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	49.0%
Students submitting ACT score	24.0%	16.0%
Total number of applicants	47,593	34,656
Total number of admissions given out	28,395	23,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,297	4,875
Yield rate	29.2%	21.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086	In state: $36,394 Out of state: $51,426
Average net price	$14,272	$22,996
Tuition	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704	In state: $19,092 Out of state: $34,124
Room & board	$12,494	Room/dormitory: $6,880 Meal plan: $4,940
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $11,212	74.0% Average amount $12,822
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $4,889	51.0% Average amount $5,334
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $7,014	12.0% Average amount $19,190

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%	23,885 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%
Graduate students	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	9,345 Men 40.5% Women 59.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	19.1%	39.6%
International students	20.4%	8.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	16,111	8,760
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education	Health Professions Engineering Business Multidisciplinary Studies Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.9%	84.3%
Dropout rate	14.2%	3.0%
Transferred out	N/A	12.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $144,200 Year 2: $138,932 Year 3: $205,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $101,262 Year 2: $101,592 Year 3: $118,452 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,177 Year 2: $95,930 Year 3: $115,158 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,455 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $103,246 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,923 Year 2: $93,033 Year 3: $99,026 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,057 Year 2: $99,404 Year 3: $96,431 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,448 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,057 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,643 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $92,498 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,633 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $92,189 Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,606 Year 2: $74,845 Year 3: $90,556	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $220,906 Year 3: $231,651 Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $191,732 Year 2: $172,991 Year 3: $167,114 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $123,211 Year 2: $136,434 Year 3: $139,418 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,006 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $119,626 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $91,548 Year 2: $108,012 Year 3: $119,626 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,381 Year 2: $99,174 Year 3: $104,969 Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $88,815 Year 2: $90,572 Year 3: $98,136 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,499 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $92,231 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,120 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $89,317 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,727 Year 3: $79,626

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)?

Pitt is a large public research university located in an urban setting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UIUC is also a large public research university, but it's situated in a more traditional college town environment in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Pitt is known for its strong medical and health sciences programs, while UIUC is renowned for its engineering, computer science, and agricultural programs. The campus cultures also differ, with Pitt offering a more city-integrated experience and UIUC providing a more self-contained campus community.
Which university is more selective in admissions: Pitt or UIUC?

UIUC is generally considered more selective than Pitt. UIUC typically has a lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students compared to Pitt. However, both universities are competitive and require strong academic records for admission.
How do the costs of attending Pitt and UIUC compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, UIUC may have a slightly lower tuition cost compared to Pitt. However, out-of-state tuition at UIUC can be comparable to or slightly higher than Pitt's. It's essential to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website for the most accurate information, and to factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location.
Which university has stronger programs in engineering?

UIUC is widely recognized as having a stronger and more highly ranked engineering program overall compared to Pitt. UIUC's College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the nation, offering a wide range of specialized engineering disciplines and research opportunities. While Pitt has a solid engineering program, UIUC's reputation and resources in engineering are generally considered superior.
What are the strengths of Pitt's academic programs?

Pitt excels in health sciences, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. Its medical school and affiliated hospitals are highly regarded. Pitt also has strong programs in philosophy, history, and business. The University benefits from its location in Pittsburgh, offering students access to internships and research opportunities in various industries.
What are the strengths of UIUC's academic programs?

UIUC is renowned for its programs in engineering, computer science, agriculture, and business. Its College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the best in the world. UIUC also has strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. The university's research facilities and resources are extensive, providing students with ample opportunities for research and innovation.
How do the campus environments differ between Pitt and UIUC?

Pitt's campus is integrated into the city of Pittsburgh, offering students access to a vibrant urban environment with numerous cultural attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options. UIUC, on the other hand, is located in a more traditional college town setting, with a focus on campus life and a strong sense of community. UIUC's campus is more self-contained, with most student activities and resources located within walking distance.
What kind of student would thrive at Pitt?

A student who enjoys an urban environment, values access to diverse cultural experiences, and is interested in health sciences or other programs that benefit from a city location would likely thrive at Pitt. Students who are independent, adaptable, and enjoy exploring a city would also find Pitt to be a good fit.
What kind of student would thrive at UIUC?

A student who prefers a traditional college town environment, values a strong sense of community, and is interested in engineering, computer science, or agriculture would likely thrive at UIUC. Students who are focused on academics, enjoy a close-knit campus environment, and appreciate a wide range of extracurricular activities would also find UIUC to be a good fit.
Does location play a significant role in choosing between Pitt and UIUC?

Yes, location is a significant factor. Pittsburgh offers a vibrant urban experience with access to various industries and cultural attractions. Champaign-Urbana provides a more traditional college town atmosphere with a strong focus on campus life. Consider which environment aligns better with your personal preferences and academic goals.
Are there any notable research opportunities available at both universities?

Both Pitt and UIUC are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Pitt has strong research programs in health sciences, engineering, and basic sciences. UIUC is a leader in engineering, computer science, agriculture, and materials science research. Students at both universities can participate in research projects with faculty members, contributing to cutting-edge discoveries.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between Pitt and UIUC?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Pitt benefits from its location in Pittsburgh, providing students with access to internships and job opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance. UIUC has strong connections with companies in the engineering, computer science, and agricultural sectors, offering students numerous internship and job opportunities in these fields. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable career support.

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