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Community College of Philadelphia vs University of Pennsylvania: which has better ROI?

Public, Philadelphia PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Philadelphia PA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,796 in 1.8 years versus not at all at Community College of Philadelphia, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $40,852 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of PhiladelphiaUniversity of Pennsylvania
Net price / yr$11,911$28,699
Total net cost$23,822$114,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,852$111,371
Median debt$10,750$15,715
Payback—1.8 yrs
20-year net return-$173,982$1,145,424

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

Which is cheaper, Community College of Philadelphia or University of Pennsylvania?

Community College of Philadelphia, at $11,911 a year after aid versus $28,699 — a gap of $16,788 a year, or $90,974 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 University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?

University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $111,371 ten years after entry, $70,519 more than the $40,852 at Community College of Philadelphia. 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 University of Pennsylvania?

Community College of Philadelphia: its completers carry a median $10,750 in federal loans versus $15,715 at University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $4,965. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

97% of students finish at University of Pennsylvania, 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 University of Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Philadelphia or University of Pennsylvania a better value?
University of Pennsylvania. It clears its $114,796 net cost in about 1.8 years versus no clear payback at Community College of Philadelphia, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $40,852 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Philadelphia or University of Pennsylvania?
Community College of Philadelphia: $11,911/yr net price after aid versus $28,699/yr at University of Pennsylvania — a difference of $16,788 a year, or about $90,974 over four years.
Do Community College of Philadelphia or University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn a median $111,371 ten years after entry, versus $40,852 at Community College of Philadelphia — a $70,519 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.