8 Best Universities In Pittsburgh For International Students 2025

Pittsburgh is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

Out of 8 universities in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh are the top-performing schools in Pittsburgh.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rank University Country Type
1 Carnegie Mellon University United States Private
2 University of Pittsburgh United States Public
3 Duquesne University United States Private
4 Chatham University United States Private
5 Robert Morris University United States Private
6 Point Park University United States Private
7 Carlow University United States Private
8 La Roche University United States Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in Pittsburgh?

Applying to the universities in Pittsburgh involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Pittsburgh to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Pittsburgh?

Tuition fees at Pittsburgh’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 31,200 USD to 59,900 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 8,505 USD to 90,000 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Pittsburgh!

As we cover the best universities in Pittsburgh for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Pittsburgh for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#28 in United States
#32 in North America
#55 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 15,818

Carnegie Mellon University is well-known as one of the best research and higher education institution in the United States. The university was established by the merger of two technical schools; the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. It offers a range of first-class interdisciplinary degree programs and mainly specializes in the field of computer science, machine learning, and robotics. The university is also a management science pioneer and houses the country’s first degree-granting drama institution.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#40 in United States
#46 in North America
#95 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 28,234

For over 235 years, the University of Pittsburgh continues to provide high-quality education and research to both local and international students. They have been acknowledged for their programs in various fields as they produced excellent graduates that are known today. Additionally, they are one of the leading research universities in the world.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#365 in United States
#410 in North America
#1239 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 8,333

Duquesne University is one of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded it; thus, it may also be called the Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. As a small, private institution, the student-to-faculty ratio is only 14:1, allowing them to provide attentive training and numerous opportunities. National rankings place Duquesne at 301st (QS Rankings), 264th (Times Higher Education), and 148th (US News).

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#696 in United States
#781 in North America
#2302 in World
Percentage of International Students
3%
Total Number of students - 2,439
International Number of students - 74

Chatham University is known as one of Pittsburgh’s “green” colleges. The university is fully committed to promoting sustainability within its campuses, and the local and national community has recognized it for its tremendous efforts. The university awards degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and also offers several non-degree certificates. Some of its top-rated programs include Bachelor of Immersive Media, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Arts in Food Studies.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#810 in United States
#905 in North America
#2653 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 4,200

Robert Morris University was founded in 1921 as a private educational institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university boasts its accessible and quality education where almost 90% of its student constituency afford themselves a form of financial aid through scholarships, loans, or waivers. Not only is the education affordable, but it is accurate to their students as graduates of their 2020 class have a 95% match in their employment and field of study. Robert Morris University remains to provide competent service in the field of learning for more than a hundred years.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#994 in United States
#1096 in North America
#3202 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 3,505

Located in Downtown Pittsburg, Point Park University is a private institution that gives countless opportunities for students of all ages. The university offers a broad spectrum of career-oriented degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Moreover, it provides training, internships, and other educational opportunities that will aid students in becoming world-class citizens.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1183 in United States
#1291 in North America
#3801 in World
Percentage of International Students
1%
Total Number of students - 2,055
International Number of students - 20

Carlow University is a private institution that offers almost 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Besides its main campus in Oakland, it has two more campuses in Pennsylvania and an online campus with many degree options. Its education is based on experiential learning which is done through activities that include credit and non-credit internships, volunteering, research projects, study abroad opportunities, and honors and leadership programs. As this is a Catholic university, it has many religious-related activities, like holding masses and sacrament preparations, but it also has interfaith spaces for people from other religions.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1270 in United States
#1382 in North America
#4116 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 1,465

La Roche University is among the best private Catholic universities in Pennsylvania. The university recruits students from across the globe regardless of ethnicity or religious background. And as it aims to provide quality education, it is fully committed to giving the best learning environment to its diverse group of students. All necessary academic resources and aid are provided to ensure students succeed in their future careers.

We know that choosing your dream school in Pittsburgh not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Pittsburgh, make sure to visit our list of the best private universities in Pittsburgh! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!