Student Scholarship

Not surprisingly, what closely accompanies distinguished teachers are distinguished student scholars. In conjunction with the University Honors College (UHC), the University of Pittsburgh has produced more Rhodes and Marshall Scholars than any other public university in Pennsylvania. In 2005, for the second year in a row, UHC students were winners in all three congressional competitions for the Truman, Goldwater and Udall scholarships. In 2007, out of only nine universities to produce both Rhodes and Marshall Scholars, Pitt was the only public institution to do so.

Academics

Since 1974, the University of Pittsburgh has been a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), an association which includes the 62 most prominent national research universities in North America. The Center for Measuring University Performance's 2006 Top American Universities placed Pitt in the top seven, in a group of only seven top public universities, for overall performance. The University also ranks seventh among all U.S. universities as a recipient of competitive grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health.

Some top research centers at Pitt include:
University Center for International Studies
University Center for Social and Urban Research
Learning Research and Development Center
Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

In its most recent review, The National Research Council (NRC), the most respected evaluator of academic programs in the United States, has ranked a number of Pitt's programs in the top of their fields. The University's Department of Philosophy ranks second nationally and its Department of History and Philosophy of Science, fifth. According to NRC, departments such as Chemistry, Economics, English, History, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Physiology are also among the best in their disciplines.

In medicine, the University of Pittsburgh has one of the world's leading organ transplant programs; the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is ranked among the top business programs in the nation; and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a highly regarded speech and hearing science program. Similar honors are credited to programs in writing, and music-the program that sponsors the nationally famous Pitt Jazz Seminar.

International Affairs

The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) is cited as one of the premiere international academic centers in the country by the Council of Learning. Five Pitt area studies programs are designated National Resource Centers by the U.S. Department of Education. UCIS programs include Asian, Latin American, Russian and East European, and European studies. The International Business Center in the College of Business Administration also shares this distinction.

As a result, the University of Pittsburgh is one of only 17 U.S. universities that can claim four or more international centers with the designation as a National Resource Center. UCIS also is home to certificate programs in African, Global, and European Union Studies as well as one of just 10 European Union Centers of Excellence in the United States funded by European Commission.

Athletics

Pitt's reputation for excellence also extends beyond the classroom on to the athletic field. Nearly 70% of our student-athletes had grade point averages greater than 3.00 and 124 were named Big East Academic All-Stars in 2006, while Pitt football and basketball programs have consistently ranked among the country's finest. A recent ESPN Sports network rating revealed that Pitt was tied for 10th as one of the nation's top two-sport schools.