Pittsburg State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Pittsburg State University charges a net price of $15,784/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $63,136. Graduates earn a median $50,579 ten years after entry, $2,219/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 28.5 years — a 20-year net return of -$18,756, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Pittsburg State University's 28.5-year payback ranks #1,126 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 12% of them, and #17 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,784/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $63,136 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,579 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,219/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,969 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 28.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$18,756 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Pittsburg State University's own numbers. Net price $15,784 × 4 years = $63,136 total. Median earnings $50,579 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,219 a year of premium. $63,136 ÷ $2,219 = 28.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$18,756. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Pittsburg State University students graduate with?
A median $18,969 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $50,579 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Pittsburg State University students graduate?
57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $63,136 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $110,765 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Pittsburg State University expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $15,784 net price runs $504 above the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, or $2,016 more across the full degree.