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College Comparison

Purdue University vs University of Pittsburgh: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN

School

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricPurduePitt
Acceptance Rate50.3%49.7%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1190–14601270–1450wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–3429–33wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,794wins$39,890
Avg Net Price$13,945wins$30,074
Median Earnings (10 yr)$72,424wins$66,125
Graduation Rate83.1%84.3%wins
Retention Rate92.0%92.4%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio14:113:1wins
Total Enrollment39,637wins20,189

Verdict

Based on the data above, Pitt edges out Purdue on 6 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Purdue Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $28,794
  • Avg Net Price: $13,945
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $72,424
  • Total Enrollment: 39,637

Pitt Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 49.7%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1270–1450
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 29–33
  • Graduation Rate: 84.3%

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