The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is an independent, state-related, doctoral/research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1787, Pitt is a renowned leader in academic fields as diverse as philosophy and medicine, and is well known for pioneering work in the development of the first Polio vaccine, among other achievements.

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 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. In 2006 Pitt was placed in the top cluster of 7 leading U.S. public research universities and among the clusters comprising the overall top 26 research universities , was 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.

One of 62 elected members of the Association of American Universities, Pitt is among the top universities in total research expenditures and 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 transplant 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 National Landmark centerpiece building, the Cathedral of Learning (at , the second tallest educational building in the world); for its central role in developing the first polio vaccine; and for fielding nationally competitive NCAA Division 1 athletic programs.