University of Pittsburgh SAT & ACT Scores

Pitt has been test-optional on the Pittsburgh campus since fall 2021 entry and has extended the policy through fall 2028. It covers first-year and transfer applicants, including international and homeschooled students; international students still need proof of English proficiency. Once your application is under review, you can't change your test-optional choice. Without scores, Pitt relies more heavily on the rest of your application, and you must submit a personal statement or the Common App essay. If you send scores, Pitt uses your SAT superscore and your highest ACT composite. It accepts an ACT superscore only when the report comes directly from ACT.

Pitt's 2025–26 Common Data Set (Pittsburgh campus) reports SAT section scores but no combined SAT range. Enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT scored 650–720 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, with a median of 690, and 630–730 in Math, with a median of 680.

40.3% of enrolled first-year students submitted the SAT. These ranges describe only the students who chose to send scores, not the whole class. Pitt admits students into specific schools, such as the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences or the Swanson School of Engineering, and its class profile lists admitted-student SAT ranges for each school. Those figures cover students offered admission, while these cover students who enrolled.

Pitt superscores the SAT, so your best section scores from different test dates can be combined. Section scores at or above 690 in Reading and Writing and 680 in Math put you in the upper half of enrolled students who sent the SAT.

Only 8.3% of enrolled first-year students in the fall 2025 entering class submitted the ACT. Their middle 50% composite was 29–33, with a median of 32. English scores ran 27–35, and Math scores ran 26–31.

With so few ACT submitters, treat this range as a rough guide. Pitt uses your highest ACT composite, and it will use an ACT superscore only if ACT sends the superscore report directly. A composite of 33 or higher sits in the top quarter of enrolled students who sent the ACT.

Pitt has no early decision or early action plan. It reviews applications on a rolling basis, and it says applying early increases your chances in its competitive applicant pool. Students who submit a complete application by early December are automatically considered for Pitt's academic scholarships.

If you send scores to University of Pittsburgh, a practical target is SAT section scores near the top of the 650–720 and 630–730 ranges, or an ACT of 33 or higher. Scores near 690 and 680, or an ACT near 32, match the middle of recent enrolled submitters. If your scores fall well below these ranges, applying test-optional is a normal choice here; just plan to include a personal statement or the Common App essay. Check your intended school's admitted-student ranges in Pitt's class profile too.

Pitt gives every application a holistic review. Its Common Data Set rates the rigor of your high school record, your GPA, and your essay as very important, with test scores considered. Pitt also looks at grade trends, curriculum choices such as Honors, AP, IB, and college courses, and activities outside the classroom. First-year applicants, except international students, complete a STARS self-reported academic record.