City of bridges. City of champions. City of much, much more.
Steeped in American history, from the Revolution to the Whiskey Rebellion to its role as an industrial hub of coal mining and steel production, Pittsburgh retained those blue-collar roots as it expanded into tech destination, sports town, and foodie haven.
One of the men responsible for establishing Pittsburgh as the home of steel production was Andrew Carnegie, who in 1901 donated $1 million for the creation of the Carnegie Technical Schools. That investment spawned what is now Carnegie Mellon - home of the Master of Information Technology Strategy program.
Now, Pittsburgh's excellence in higher education, healthcare, and technology, combined with its cultural renaissance and low cost of living, make it a destination for a younger generation.
Plug into an emerging tech hub
Google, Apple, and Facebook have opened offices here. Uber tests its self-driving cars on our streets. Duolingo's headquarters call Pittsburgh home. An Army artificial intelligence unit is set to expand its presence in town. Carnegie Mellon and its tech-minded graduates have turned the city into a destination for established companies and start-ups alike, making it a great place to take your information technology strategy education for a spin with an internship and Capstone project.
Cheer on the black and gold
Pittsburgh's three professional sports franchises - Major League Baseball's Pirates, the National Football League's Steelers, and the National Hockey League's Penguins - feature storied pasts, die-hard fans, and beautiful stadiums. The University of Pittsburgh participates in Division I athletics, and soccer fans can take in a Pittsburgh Riverhounds game on the city's South Side. Carnegie Mellon students can purchase discounted tickets to some events.
Eat your way through town
Three years ago, BBC Good Food named Pittsburgh a top-ten destination for foodies - the only American city to make the list - and the scene has improved since then. The ethnic diversity of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods means a bevy of authentic cuisine, and relatively low rents allow up-and-coming chefs to try their hand at innovative concepts. From bar food down the road to a seared-to-perfection pork chop atop Mt. Washington and everything in between, you won't go hungry here.
