Anonymous
02/21/2026 05:42
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Our child is a happy camper at Pitt (currently a senior but is staying for a +1 masters next year). For health care, Pitt is a great option. Also business and other majors - Our kids friends all either have jobs lined up (really) or grad school. Pittsburgh is thriving, even in the current economic climate. As for cost, Pittsburgh is inexpensive in other areas - rent is $850/month in shared housing (off campus), v our other child in a high cost of living area where it's $1850.
Also tons of internship opportunities, fun neighborhoods, activities from museums to sports. TBH, when they said they were picking Pitt, I didnt know anything about it, but after visiting over the past 4 years, it's a great area and a great choice
Also tons of internship opportunities, fun neighborhoods, activities from museums to sports. TBH, when they said they were picking Pitt, I didnt know anything about it, but after visiting over the past 4 years, it's a great area and a great choice
Anonymous
02/21/2026 00:10
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the tips.
You're welcome. There are lots of hotels in the larger areas. I've seen threads on here before. When it gets closer, post your requirements to get more specific advice from people who have recently visited.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 23:59
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Thank you for the tips.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 23:59
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Question from a prospective parent: where do families stay for orientation if all the nearby affordable hotels are taken over for student housing?
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/pitt-leases-3-buildings
I read the article. According to the article, Pitt is leasing the Hampton Inn and bought another hotel a few years back.
So there are still several public hotels right near campus. If those are too expensive, it's quite possible to drive into Oakland from neighborhoods that are 20-30 minutes away.
One that I looked at was a hotel near the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Some people recommend hotels on the South Side. There also is a hotel on the river bank by the Bates Street exit.
There was an ordinary Red Roof in Monroeville that I stayed at occasionally. If you stay that far out, you need to make allowances for commute time and rush hour. The Squirrel Hill Tunnel is a bottleneck between you and Pitt.
I used to commute to Pitt one summer from further out than Monroeville. It's not a big deal.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 23:55
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:Question from a prospective parent: where do families stay for orientation if all the nearby affordable hotels are taken over for student housing?
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/pitt-leases-3-buildings
I read the article. According to the article, Pitt is leasing the Hampton Inn and bought another hotel a few years back.
So there are still several public hotels right near campus. If those are too expensive, it's quite possible to drive into Oakland from neighborhoods that are 20-30 minutes away.
One that I looked at was a hotel near the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Some people recommend hotels on the South Side. There also is a hotel on the river bank by the Bates Street exit.
There was an ordinary Red Roof in Monroeville that I stayed at occasionally. If you stay that far out, you need to make allowances for commute time and rush hour. The Squirrel Hill Tunnel is a bottleneck between you and Pitt.
I used to commute to Pitt one summer from further out than Monroeville. It's not a big deal.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 22:32
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Question from a prospective parent: where do families stay for orientation if all the nearby affordable hotels are taken over for student housing?
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/pitt-leases-3-buildings
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/pitt-leases-3-buildings
Anonymous
02/19/2026 06:50
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
My kid was considering pitt for engineering but decided to go in-state. Couldn’t afford that tuition and it wasn’t his top choice anyway. Here is an opinion piece I came across when researching the school re housing:
https://pittnews.com/article/199519/opinions/opinion-pitts-housing-shortage-is-an-effect-of-corporate-greed/amp/
https://pittnews.com/article/199519/opinions/opinion-pitts-housing-shortage-is-an-effect-of-corporate-greed/amp/
Anonymous
02/18/2026 22:23
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:Is the fraternity scene big at Pitt?
It is not really big but there if you want it. My son is a junior at Pitt and really likes the school and the city. He socially has been very happy. He is actually so much more social now than in high school. He has friends from the beginning of freshman year and then joined a fraternity. I never thought he would join Greek life. It seems a little lower key than the frats at other schools—which is why I think he was open to it. He still has friends outside the fraternity.
He is a CS major and has had many professors he really likes. He has done pretty well in getting internships. I always hear how good it is for any health field, but I can’t speak to that. Although the hospital system is pretty dominant in the area and they always seem to be expanding.
He does complain about the dining hall food. He doesn’t have a food plan anymore. He cooks and goes to the many places near campus. There are excellent restaurants in Pittsburgh.
Other than OOS tuition, Pittsburgh is a pretty low cost city. Kids don’t need a car and rent is low.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 20:31
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
To OP, you can ask the AO a question if matching Fordham price is the tie-breaker.
I got a follow-up when my son declined to see if there was any obstacle that hadn't been discussed.
My son was going to his top choice which was $20K cheaper so I didn't write back. But that's the only personal follow-up that came from his declined schools.
I got a follow-up when my son declined to see if there was any obstacle that hadn't been discussed.
My son was going to his top choice which was $20K cheaper so I didn't write back. But that's the only personal follow-up that came from his declined schools.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 15:51
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
So happy to read this discussion - Pitt is a likely match for my DC and he'll definitely be applying.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 15:49
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Pitt and Fordham are peer schools so
that’s a tough choice - both solid above average educations and placement
that’s a tough choice - both solid above average educations and placement
Anonymous
02/18/2026 15:43
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the alternative?
At this point, Fordham (COA less than Pitt), Northeastern ($89k!!!!), and possibly Case Western (child is not interested at all, but it remains a distant option).
DH and I suspect she'll change her mind re: major. Funding-wise, we have the money but just because we can, doesn't mean we should...
Def fordham over pitt!
Anonymous
02/18/2026 15:42
Subject: Re:Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
Anonymous wrote:We live in PA and it is a very hot choice that all kinds of kids seem very happy with.
Definitely agree with this. All sorts of kids go to Pitt and they all love it.
Anonymous
02/18/2026 14:52
Subject: Pitt- pros and cons for OOS
PP. I see that OP posted more while I was writing the above.
The Towers are just ok. They are acceptable. The study lounge I lived in for overflow housing was in one of them.
Thousands of Pitt students, including my DH, have lived in them.
And we still have Pitt legacies, lol.
The Towers are just ok. They are acceptable. The study lounge I lived in for overflow housing was in one of them.
Thousands of Pitt students, including my DH, have lived in them.
And we still have Pitt legacies, lol.