\n\tBy CHUCK STARESINIC<\/p>\n
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\n\tThe annual student census released this week shows that overall undergraduate enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus grew modestly by 130 students (0.6%) to a total of 21,518.<\/p>\n
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\n\tThe incoming class of 4,725 first-year students on the Pittsburgh campus was selected from a record-setting number of applicants, more than 74,000, but is noticeably smaller than last year\u2019s largest-ever such class of 5,870.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tDespite the smaller first-year cohort for 2026, Pitt remains on track to reach the enrollment goal stated in the University\u2019s strategic plan, of 22,000 undergrads by 2028, according to a Pitt spokesperson. \u201cThe demand for a Pitt education has never been higher. \u2026 Applications have grown 149% since 2016,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cWe are on pace to meet the undergraduate enrollment target spelled out in the Plan for Pitt.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n\tOverall, Regional Campus and School Enrollment<\/p>\n
\n\tTotal undergraduate enrollment on all campuses rose by just 108 students this year, from 25,679 to 25,787.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tThe regional campuses mostly held steady in their enrollment numbers. The biggest change was at Pitt-Johnstown, which declined by 22 students, or 1.2%, to 1,807. Pitt-Greensburg declined by 8 students, or 0.6 % to 1,304. Bradford added a handful of students, as did Titusville, bringing their totals to 1,098 and 60, respectively.<\/p>\n
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\n\tGraduate and professional enrollment declined by 272 people or 2.8%, from 9,849 to 9,577.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\t\u2022 The College of General Studies increased more than 11%.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u2022 The School of Law increased more than 6%, primarily in the JD program.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u2022 The School of Computing and Information\u2019s undergraduate enrollment decreased by 18%.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u2022 In the School of Public Health, graduate\/professional enrollment decreased more than 17%.<\/p>\n
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\n\tSchool of Computing and Information<\/p>\n
\n\tIn response to a question about the school\u2019s enrollment figures, a SCI spokesperson said computer science programs nationally are feeling the effects of rapid technological change in a sector historically associated with ready access to high-paying entry-level careers. \u201cOver hiring in the tech sector, combined with AI advances that can perform routine coding tasks, has affected entry-level tech jobs. This shift has given some prospective students pause about studying computer science.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\u201cIn practice, however, what is underway reflects a labor-market correction and the adoption of new AI tools that accelerate software development, particularly routine coding tasks. Computing careers that emphasize the human elements of design, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving are in high demand throughout the economy beyond the tech sector. New career opportunities are also being created in areas like AI deployment and AI governance.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n\tThe spokesperson said SCI is expanding academic programs and pathways that connect computing with a wide range of disciplines, \u201caligning curriculum with growing demand for AI knowledge and skills\u201d and doing so from a position of strength, with its highest-ever U.S. News & World Report undergraduate computer science ranking and a 94% placement rate for the Class of 2025.<\/p>\n
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\n\tPublic Health and International Enrollment<\/p>\n
\n\tPublic health graduate enrollment has declined nationally in recent years. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health estimated a 25-30% decline in enrollment across its member schools in the previous academic year, citing a number of reasons. Public health programs have faced decreased federal funding, and new caps on federal loan borrowing for master’s students have made the degree harder to finance. Also, new policies preventing international students from obtaining visas have hit public health programs especially hard, as those programs have historically enrolled a high share of international students.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tA significant change from last year is the overall number of international students at all levels on all Pitt campuses, which is down about 12% in 2026 compared to fall 2025. Pitt currently has 2,548 international students on all campuses (7.2% of the student body), compared to 2,897 in 2025 (8.2% of the student body), which was itself a decline of about 6% from 3,085 in fall 2024 (9.1% of the student body).<\/p>\n
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\n\tA Pitt spokesperson noted, \u201cA dynamic federal policy landscape has driven declines in new international student enrollment across higher education.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tThose factors include a December 2025 executive order that restricted standard student-visa protections for nationals of 39 countries. This year, Homeland Security eliminated “Duration of Status” for student visas in favor of fixed admission periods of four years, adding uncertainty and paperwork burdens for incoming students. In addition to those changes, persistent visa-appointment backlogs and processing delays kept many admitted students from arriving on time to begin their studies even when they had no legal obstacle. These factors and others have contributed to a broader climate of feeling unwelcome, and a tense social and political environment has caused prospective students to consider other countries.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\u201cInternational students are a valued part of the University of Pittsburgh, and make important contributions to education, research and campus life,\u201d said the Pitt spokesperson. \u201cThe University is committed to fostering and welcoming a thriving international community where every international student who chooses to come here \u2014 now and in the future \u2014 receives support and an excellent education.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n\tChuck Staresinic is interim editor for the University Times. Reach him at chuck.s@pitt.edu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\tHave a story idea or news to share? Share it<\/a> with the University Times.<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n