Degree Dividend
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Community College of Philadelphia vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Community College of Philadelphia comes closer — median earnings $40,852 against a $23,822 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of PhiladelphiaBella Capelli Academy
Net price / yr$11,911$20,459
Total net cost$23,822$81,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,852$25,817
Median debt$10,750$8,028
Payback
20-year net return-$173,982-$532,696

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

Which is cheaper, Community College of Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy?

Community College of Philadelphia, at $11,911 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $8,548 a year, or $58,014 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 Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?

Community College of Philadelphia graduates report a median $40,852 ten years after entry, $15,035 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 Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy?

Bella Capelli Academy: its completers carry a median $8,028 in federal loans versus $10,750 at Community College of Philadelphia, a difference of $2,722. 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 Philadelphia. 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.

Community College of Philadelphia vs Bella Capelli Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy a better value?
Community College of Philadelphia 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, Community College of Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy?
Community College of Philadelphia: $11,911/yr net price after aid versus $20,459/yr at Bella Capelli Academy — a difference of $8,548 a year, or about $58,014 over four years.
Do Community College of Philadelphia or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Community College of Philadelphia graduates earn a median $40,852 ten years after entry, versus $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy — a $15,035 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.