Why Pitt Engineering?
The Swanson School of Engineering is one of the oldest engineering programs in the country, graduating its first engineers in 1846. Today, we offer 10 ABET-accredited programs across six departments, a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a campus in the heart of Pittsburgh - a city consistently ranked among the best for technology, healthcare, and energy innovation.
But what sets the Swanson School apart is what happens outside the lecture hall. Thirty-four percent of our students participate in co-ops, 30 percent conduct undergraduate research, 30 percent take part in entrepreneurial activities and competitions, and 18 percent pursue a global experience through study, work, or research abroad. The result: 96 percent of our graduates are working in industry or attending graduate school after commencement.
Our students have earned Goldwater, Fulbright, Churchill, and Rhodes scholarships - and they land at companies like ANSYS, Bayer, Siemens, Westinghouse, and UPMC. Whether you already know which branch of engineering you want to pursue or are still figuring it out, the Swanson School gives you the foundation, flexibility, and support to find your path.
Your First Year
All first-year engineering students at Pitt begin with an integrated curriculum that combines math, science, and introductory engineering courses across disciplines. This shared foundation emphasizes technical problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills before you select a major department by your sophomore year.
The integrated approach is intentional: it gives you time to explore different areas of engineering while building the skills every engineer needs, regardless of specialty. For more detail on first-year courses and requirements, visit the First Year section.
Beyond the Classroom
Engineering at Pitt is built around learning by doing. Our students regularly gain professional experience before they graduate through a range of opportunities:
- Co-ops and internships - Extended placements at companies like Bechtel, Curtiss-Wright, Deloitte, Emerson, and Naval Nuclear Laboratory, among many others
- Undergraduate research - Work directly with faculty on funded projects, with 30 percent of students participating
- Global experiences - Study, intern, or conduct research abroad through programs in dozens of countries
- Entrepreneurship - Competitions, startup incubators, and innovation programs that let you build something of your own
- Student organizations - More than 50 engineering organizations, including nationally recognized competition teams
Support From Day One
The Swanson School is a large research institution with a small-school feel. Our Engineering Student Service Center provides dedicated support throughout your time at Pitt, including academic advising, tutoring, co-op and internship placement, and guidance on research and international opportunities. You will have a consistent point of contact from your first year through graduation.
The University of Pittsburgh campus sits in Oakland, Pittsburgh's academic and cultural center - close enough to downtown to access everything the city offers, but with its own distinct energy. Engineering students benefit from a vibrant campus life, Division I athletics, and a city that is home to major employers across engineering, technology, healthcare, and energy.