The Best Business Schools in Pittsburgh for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Schools in Pittsburgh
- Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 in the Pittsburgh area on a 97.4 Program Score, with a 94% graduation rate.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, ranks #5.
- Programs analyzed
- 152
- Schools ranked
- 12
- Tuition range
- $7,716-$64,596
- Average graduation rate
- 63%
We analyzed 152 accredited business programs in Pittsburgh and the surrounding metro and ranked 12 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 12 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $64,596 a year, a $56,880 spread for the same credential.
Carnegie Mellon University leads with a 97.4 Program Score on a 94% graduation rate, at $64,596 a year. Across all 12 ranked business schools in Pittsburgh the average graduation rate is 63%, ranging from 28% to 94%. 4 of the 12 are public and 8 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
The Top Business Schools in Pittsburgh at a Glance
Carnegie Mellon leads at 97.4, and Point Park closes the chart at 69.8. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Business Schools in Pittsburgh Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 12 Best Business Schools in Pittsburgh, Ranked for 2027
The 12 best Business Schools in Pittsburgh, ranked by outcomes.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 12%
- In-state
- $64,596
- Out-of-state
- $64,596
Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with 11 concentrations, and completing one is a degree requirement.
- 94% graduation rate
- Program Score 97.4
- $64,596 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- 11 concentrations to choose from
Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration built around analytics, economics and management. The curriculum is structured around core courses in business, economics, mathematics and statistics, and the first year is devoted to foundational analysis, communication and context courses in economics, math and the liberal arts. First-year students also take Business Science. Students then choose from 11 concentrations: accounting, AI and business, business analytics and technologies, entrepreneurship, finance, global economics and business, Islamic business management, marketing management, operations management, product management and strategic management. Completing a concentration is part of the degree requirements, and students are encouraged to declare one by the end of sophomore year. The school says the program emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork and hands-on experience through research and experiential learning.
Federal data show a 94% graduation rate at Carnegie Mellon and an admit rate of 12%, so admission is highly selective. In-state tuition is $64,596, the same as the out-of-state figure, because the school is private. The program earns a Program Score of 97.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a quantitative business degree with a defined specialty and are comfortable with a demanding, math-heavy core.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- 85%
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 30-credit MS in Marketing Science that pairs analytics with live projects and access to the Katz Center for Branding.
- 85% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.4
- Two-term full-time or part-time path
- Katz Center for Branding access
The Master of Science in Marketing Science at the University of Pittsburgh is a 30-credit degree from the Katz Graduate School of Business. Full-time students can complete it in two terms starting in August, while part-time students study at their own pace with fall, spring or summer starts. The program focuses on customer insights, research techniques and analytics, along with digital and social media marketing and emerging technologies, and it describes its approach as experience-based learning through real-world business partnerships.
Students work on live projects, meet industry leaders and have access to the Katz Center for Branding, which the school describes as a research hub for branding, digital marketing and industry collaboration. Federal data shows an 85% graduation rate at Pitt and a 58% admit rate. The program holds a Program Score of 96.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a quantitative marketing degree that can be finished in under a year of full-time study, as well as working professionals who need the part-time option to move toward data-driven marketing roles.
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 62%
- In-state
- $41,180
- Out-of-state
- $41,180
Saint Vincent College's finance major is a CFP Registered Program with four tracks, and the school reports an 83% CFP pass rate among its students.
- 69% graduation rate
- Program Score 87.0
- $41,180 tuition
- CFP Registered Program
Saint Vincent College offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance in Latrobe, with four advisement tracks: behavioral finance (including a psychology minor), computational finance (including a mathematics minor), corporate finance, and investment management with CFA and CFP preparation. The CFP track requires 9 additional finance and accounting credits. The page says the program is a Certified Financial Planning Registered Program, so graduates may sit the CFP exam without additional courses, and that students can prepare for the SIE and CFA exams. The school reports an 83% CFP pass rate for its students and about 80% of finance seniors passing CFA Level I, and states that every finance major since 2012 has found employment in finance. Those figures come from the school.
Saint Vincent graduates 69% of its students and admits 62% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition are both $41,180. The program's Program Score is 87.0 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The major fits students who want a clear route to professional finance credentials and a choice between investing, corporate and analytical emphases at a small college.
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 62%
- In-state
- $43,518
- Out-of-state
- $43,518
Chatham University's BA in Accounting covers financial and managerial accounting, taxation and auditing inside a School of Business and Enterprise accredited by IACBE.
- 63% graduation rate
- Program Score 84.7
- $43,518 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Integrated degree program option
Chatham University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting through its School of Business and Enterprise. The page describes a foundation in financial accounting with an external focus, managerial accounting with an internal focus, accounting information systems and analysis, taxation, and internal controls and auditing. Students also build critical thinking, communication, research and information systems skills. Chatham connects students with the professional community through seminars, networking events and conferences, naming associations such as the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, the Institute of Management Accountants and Financial Executives Institute. The school reports that its business programs are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, and an undergraduate team placed second at an IIA and PICPA case competition that drew 20 institutions. Chatham also describes an integrated degree program option.
Federal data show a 63% graduation rate and a 62% admit rate at Chatham. In-state tuition is $43,518, matching the out-of-state figure because the school is private. The program holds a Program Score of 84.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a small, liberal arts setting for accounting with direct access to local professional networks.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 66%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $7,716
- Out-of-state
- $11,574
Slippery Rock's healthcare administration major can be taken online and offers pre-physician assistant, physical therapy and occupational therapy pathways, some as 3+3 or 3+2 routes.
- Program Score 83.7
- $7,716 in-state tuition
- Online and on-campus options
- 3+3 and 3+2 pre-professional tracks
Slippery Rock University's Healthcare Administration and Management major offers both traditional and online options, plus an online degree completion program. Students learn health care financing, the legal and regulatory environment, organizational dynamics, quality improvement and leadership. The page describes two paths: administration and management for students who do not want a clinical career, and a pre-professional route for those aiming at physician assistant, physical therapy or occupational therapy programs. Pre-professional tracks come in traditional four-year versions and accelerated ones, including a 3+3 route to a Doctor of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Physical Therapy and a 3+2 route to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Students have completed internships at employers such as UPMC, Highmark Health and Cleveland Clinic.
Slippery Rock graduates 66% of its students and admits 71% of applicants. Tuition is $7,716 in state and $11,574 out of state. The program has a Program Score of 83.7 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a business route into health care management, working adults finishing a degree online, or pre-health students who want administrative skills alongside their prerequisites.
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 66%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
An online MBA of 10 courses where seven core classes cover finance, marketing, analytics and leadership, plus an embedded certificate.
- 66% graduation rate
- Program Score 79.2
- 8-week online sessions
- Analytics, AI or project management certificate
Robert Morris University offers its Master of Business Administration through the Rockwell School of Business as a fully online, part-time program. Students complete 10 courses, or 30 credits, in accelerated 8-week sessions. Taking one course per session leads to a degree in under two years, with the option to slow down. Seven courses are core classes in finance, marketing, analytics and leadership, and the other three are electives. Every RMU MBA includes an integrated online certificate in Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or Project Management. Classes are asynchronous, use case-method analysis, simulations and software tools, and end with a capstone in systems thinking and strategic synthesis. Each student is assigned a success coach, and the school says it keeps classes small.
At RMU, the federal graduation rate is 66% and the admit rate is 90%. This listing carries a Program Score of 79.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format fits professionals balancing work and family who want asynchronous classes, a predictable 8-week rhythm and a certificate in a high-demand area, and who are comfortable studying online throughout.
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 67%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $42,294
- Out-of-state
- $42,294
Seton Hill University's business administration degree connects to a five-year bachelor's-plus-MBA route through its FastForward to an MBA program.
- 67% graduation rate
- Program Score 78.8
- $42,294 tuition
- Five-year BS plus MBA option
Seton Hill University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Greensburg. The curriculum lists core courses in accounting, managerial accounting, finance, marketing, international business, human resource management, business law, project and team management and strategic management, plus business communication, data analytics with AI, economics and statistics. Through the FastForward to an MBA program, students can earn a bachelor's degree and an MBA in five years, with some MBA-level courses taken at the undergraduate credit rate. The Wukich Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities supports students who want to start or own a business, and student clubs include Entrepreneurship Club, MarComm Club and the Society of Human Resource Management. The page cites a 2024 median wage of $80,920 for business and financial occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Seton Hill graduates 67% of its students and admits 80% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition are both $42,294. The program's Program Score is 78.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The degree fits students who want a broad business foundation, access to an entrepreneurship center and an optional accelerated path into an MBA.
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $32,080
- Out-of-state
- $32,080
A fully online Bachelor of Professional Studies in Human Resources that accepts up to 84 transfer credits and can be finished in 2 to 3 years.
- 61% graduation rate
- Program Score 75.8
- $32,080 tuition, same in-state and out
- Up to 84 transfer credits, 8-week online courses
Geneva College offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Human Resources delivered fully online. The degree is 120 credit hours: 36 major credits, a 1-credit orientation, 18 core credits and 65 elective credits. Courses run eight weeks each, and students can take as few or as many as they like per term. Up to 84 transfer credits may be accepted, and electives can be paired with an 18-credit minor. Geneva says full-time students with prior credit average 2 to 3 years to finish. The curriculum covers talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational behavior, compensation and HR strategy through a Christ-centered lens, and applicants need at least three years of post-high school life experience.
Federal data shows a 61% graduation rate, and Geneva is an open admission school. Tuition is $32,080 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, and the page lists $499 per credit hour. The program earns a Program Score of 75.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults with existing college credit who want a flexible online HR degree in a faith-based setting. Students who want a campus experience or a secular curriculum should look elsewhere, and the experience requirement means it is not aimed at recent high school graduates.
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $34,546
- Out-of-state
- $34,546
A Healthcare Management degree with data analytics in the core, an online completion option and a head start on a Carlow master's.
- 60% graduation rate
- Program Score 71.9
- $34,546 tuition
- Online and accelerated master's options
Carlow University's Healthcare Management major leads to a Bachelor of Science and is delivered on campus, with some online options and an online degree option that students request when they apply. The curriculum focuses on healthcare finance, services and data analytics, and students can work with an advisor to add biology or chemistry plus six electives to fit their goals. Carlow accepts up to 90 transfer credits and starts students in fall, spring or summer. An accelerated option lets students take graduate courses as undergraduates that count toward both degrees, giving a jump start on a master's in Fraud and Forensics or Business Administration. The page cites the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 32% growth for medical and health services managers.
The program has a Program Score of 71.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The federal graduation rate is 60% and the admit rate is 87%. Tuition is $34,546, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. It fits transfer students, working adults who need the online route, and students who want to move toward a graduate degree after a healthcare business foundation.
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 59%
- Admit rate
- 97%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Point Park University's MBA builds a course-by-course portfolio across 36 credits, with eight concentration areas from analytics to sport management.
- 59% graduation rate
- Program Score 69.8
- 97% admit rate
- Eight concentration areas
This listing covers Point Park University's Master of Business Administration, described on the school's portfolio page as a 36-credit program. Students start an MBA portfolio on admission and add at least one item from each course they take, drawn from presentations, case studies, research work, strategic business plans, writing assignments, marketing plans or individual projects. The page names eight concentration areas: business analytics, engineering management, global supply chain management, health systems management, international business, management, management information systems, and sport, arts and entertainment management. Point Park reports that the program is accredited through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), and says the portfolio can also serve as a writing sample for doctoral applications.
Point Park graduates 59% of its students and admits 97% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 69.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. This MBA fits students who want to pair a general business degree with a specialty and leave with a documented record of graduate-level projects. Applicants should confirm delivery format and course schedules with the school, since the page focuses on the portfolio requirement rather than class format.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly
Lemont Furnace, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- 39%
- Admit rate
- 95%
- In-state
- $13,824
- Out-of-state
- $23,550
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington
New Kensington, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- 28%
- Admit rate
- 95%
- In-state
- $13,824
- Out-of-state
- $23,550
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Schools in Pittsburgh
The median school on this list graduates 65% of its students. The highest rates belong to Carnegie Mellon University (94%) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (85%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Carnegie Mellon University94% graduation rate
- #2 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus85% graduation rate
- #3 Saint Vincent College69% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Schools in Pittsburgh?
On this list, 1 of 12 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Carnegie Mellon University at 12%.
- #1 Carnegie Mellon University12% admitted
- #2 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus58% admitted
- #3 Saint Vincent College62% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Online Options Among the Business Schools in Pittsburgh
Of the 12 schools ranked here, 7 offer distance education. The highest ranked is Carnegie Mellon University, at #1.
- #1 Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA
- #5 Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA
- #6 Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PA
- #7 Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg, PA
- #8 Geneva CollegeBeaver Falls, PA
- #9 Carlow UniversityPittsburgh, PA
- #10 Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the Business Schools in Pittsburgh
Enrollment on this list runs from 405 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly to 35,724 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. Of the 12, 1 enrolls 20,000 students or more and 8 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Schools in Pittsburgh Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon | $160,783 | $35,780 |
| #3 | Saint Vincent CollegeSaint Vincent College | $84,478 | $23,122 |
| #6 | Robert Morris UniversityRobert Morris | $99,983 | $21,445 |
| #7 | Seton Hill UniversitySeton Hill | $74,675 | $25,519 |
| #8 | Geneva CollegeGeneva College | $70,177 | $19,090 |
| #10 | Point Park UniversityPoint Park | $90,722 | $26,028 |
| #11 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- EberlyPennsylvania State-Penn State Fayette- Eberly | $65,292 | $11,957 |
| #12 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New KensingtonPennsylvania State-Penn State New Kensington | $65,292 | $10,866 |
Graduates of Carnegie Mellon earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $160,783; the lowest figure here is $65,292 at Pennsylvania State-Penn State New Kensington.
Carnegie Mellon leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $10,866 a year at Pennsylvania State-Penn State New Kensington to $35,780 at Carnegie Mellon.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Business Schools in Pittsburgh Cost
Tuition across the 12 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $64,596 a year. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania anchors the low end at $7,716 a year, while Carnegie Mellon University sits at the top at $64,596. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Pittsburgh is Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania at $7,716; the cheapest private is Geneva College in Beaver Falls at $32,080.
Over the four years a bachelor's takes, that is roughly $30,864 in tuition at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania against about $258,384 at Carnegie Mellon University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Pittsburgh from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Which Business Major to Choose in Pittsburgh
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Pittsburgh do not all offer the same ones. Across the 152 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Pittsburgh are accounting (15 schools), business administration (13 schools), marketing (12 schools), finance (9 schools), and human resources (9 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: most states now license CPAs on either 150 credit hours and one year of experience or a bachelor's and two years, so the choice between a fifth year of school and a longer apprenticeship shapes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 15 of the schools analyzed in Pittsburgh run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Pittsburgh
4 of the 12 ranked business schools in Pittsburgh are public and 8 are private, and that split drives most of the $56,880 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania charges $7,716 in-state and $11,574 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Why Study Business in Pittsburgh
The 12 ranked schools sit across 8 towns in the metro, among them Pittsburgh, Latrobe, and Slippery Rock, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 7 of the 12 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Keep Exploring
Business Schools in Pittsburgh: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Pittsburgh?
By Program Score, Carnegie Mellon University ranks first among the 12 ranked business schools in Pittsburgh, with a 97.4 score and a 94% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Pittsburgh, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Pittsburgh?
Tuition among the ranked Pittsburgh schools runs from $7,716 to $64,596 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Pittsburgh living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Pittsburgh does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 152 accredited business programs across Pittsburgh and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 12 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Pittsburgh metro area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Pittsburgh instead of online?
7 of the 12 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Pittsburgh this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $7,716 in-state, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.