Best colleges in the Pittsburgh area
Colleges within 30 miles of Pittsburgh, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Pittsburgh area9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 30 miles of the center of Pittsburgh (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 1% for earnings
- Net price $31,944 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · PublicHonor RollTop 7% for graduation
- Net price $30,434 a year
- 86% graduate
- 3
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- Net price $37,730 a year
- 77% graduate
- 4
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $25,890 a year
- 61% graduate
- 5
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $29,954 a year
- 63% graduate
- 6
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, PA · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $25,002 a year
- 70% graduate
- 7
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $22,204 a year
- 67% graduate
- 8
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for earnings
- Net price $23,003 a year
- 66% graduate
- 9
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $20,786 a year
- 60% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | $31,944 | $21,750 | $114,862 | 94% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $30,434 | $24,250 | $66,125 | 86% |
| Duquesne University | $37,730 | $26,244 | $74,742 | 77% |
| Geneva College | $25,890 | $25,198 | $50,004 | 61% |
| Chatham University | $29,954 | $23,250 | $52,410 | 63% |
| Washington & Jefferson College | $25,002 | $27,000 | $67,918 | 70% |
| Seton Hill University | $22,204 | $27,000 | $51,748 | 67% |
| Robert Morris University | $23,003 | $26,950 | $62,105 | 66% |
| Carlow University | $20,786 | $25,500 | $51,051 | 60% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.