Community College of Allegheny County vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Community College of Allegheny County comes closer — median earnings $39,449 against a $27,940 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Allegheny County | Bella Capelli Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,970 | $20,459 |
| Total net cost | $27,940 | $81,836 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,449 | $25,817 |
| Median debt | $12,680 | $8,028 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$206,160 | -$532,696 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Allegheny County or Bella Capelli Academy?
Community College of Allegheny County, at $13,970 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $6,489 a year, or $53,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Community College of Allegheny County or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Community College of Allegheny County graduates report a median $39,449 ten years after entry, $13,632 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, Community College of Allegheny County or Bella Capelli Academy?
Bella Capelli Academy: its completers carry a median $8,028 in federal loans versus $12,680 at Community College of Allegheny County, a difference of $4,652. 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 24% at Community College of Allegheny County. 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.