Drexel University vs Community College of Philadelphia: which has better ROI?
Drexel University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,036 in 4.2 years versus not at all at Community College of Philadelphia, on median earnings of $84,648 vs $40,852 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Drexel University | Community College of Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,509 | $11,911 |
| Total net cost | $154,036 | $23,822 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,648 | $40,852 |
| Median debt | $25,325 | $10,750 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $571,724 | -$173,982 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Drexel University or Community College of Philadelphia?
Community College of Philadelphia, at $11,911 a year after aid versus $38,509 — a gap of $26,598 a year, or $130,214 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Drexel University or Community College of Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Drexel University graduates report a median $84,648 ten years after entry, $43,796 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, Drexel University or Community College of Philadelphia?
Community College of Philadelphia: its completers carry a median $10,750 in federal loans versus $25,325 at Drexel University, a difference of $14,575. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Drexel University, 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.