The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is an independent, state-related, doctoral/research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Pitt is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt evolved into the Western University of Pennsylvania with an alteration to its charter in 1819. Upon relocating to its current campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the school received its current moniker, the University of Pittsburgh, with a 1908 charter alteration. For most of its history, Pitt was a private institution until it became part of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education in 1966.
Pitt has grown from its humble beginnings to a renowned leader in multiple academic disciplines. Along the way, Pitt's ability to withstand pressures to abandon its commitment to liberal education, has resulted in strong reputations in a myriad of disciplines including, among other fields, philosophy, physics, astronomy, history of science, creative writing, chemistry, business, biological sciences, jazz, engineering, education, international studies, and a variety of medical and health sciences. Pitt has been placed among the top seven U.S. public universities , is ranked in U.S. News & World Reports's top 20 public universities, and has also been recognized as one of the top universities in the world by multiple studies. Pitt regularly produces internationally recognized scholarship and fellowship award winners.
Pitt, one of the 62 elected members of the Association of American Universities, is among the top universities in total research expenditures. Pitt is a top 10 school in National Institute of Health research allocations, bringing in over $430 million a year for biomedical and health science research alone. Pitt and its medical school are also closely affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a leading academic medical center and the most active organ transplants center in the United States. These resources have propelled Pitt to a leadership role in, among other fields, stem cell science, bioterrorism defense, and tissue engineering.
Pitt is popularly recognized for its 535 feet high National Landmark centerpiece building, the Cathedral of Learning (the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere), its central role in developing the first polio vaccine, and for fielding nationally competitive NCAA Division 1 athletic programs.