Degree Dividend
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Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Cheyney PA · vs · Private for-profit, Monroeville PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cheyney University of Pennsylvania comes closer — median earnings $37,837 against a $57,060 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCheyney University of PennsylvaniaBella Capelli Academy
Net price / yr$14,265$20,459
Total net cost$57,060$81,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,837$25,817
Median debt$21,785$8,028
Payback
20-year net return-$267,520-$532,696

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy?

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, at $14,265 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $6,194 a year, or $24,776 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $37,837 ten years after entry, $12,020 more than the $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy?

Bella Capelli Academy: its completers carry a median $8,028 in federal loans versus $21,785 at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $13,757. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

76% of students finish at Bella Capelli Academy, against 41% at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs Bella Capelli Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy a better value?
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy?
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania: $14,265/yr net price after aid versus $20,459/yr at Bella Capelli Academy — a difference of $6,194 a year, or about $24,776 over four years.
Do Cheyney University of Pennsylvania or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates earn a median $37,837 ten years after entry, versus $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy — a $12,020 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.