University of Pittsburgh

As many of the people who have attended this university have had careers full of towering achievements perhaps it is appropriate that its main building, the Cathedral of Learning, is so tall. Standing at 535 feet, only Moscow University has an educational building that reaches higher into the skies. Commonly referred to as Pitt, this independent research university's academics played a vital role in the development of the first Polio vaccine.

Founded in 1787, Pitt has managed to continue to excel in fields as varied as philosophy and medicine by sticking to its motto of 'truth and virtue' and resisting early pressures to abandon its pursuit of promoting a liberal education. It now has a strong reputation in disciplines such as astronomy, creative writing, business, jazz, engineering and international studies. Pitt's campus is in the historic Oakland district of the city next to the Carnegie Music Hall - a place that former student Gene Kelly (who took the lead role in Singin' in the Rain) is likely to have visited.