Peirce College vs Automotive Training Center-Exton: which has better ROI?
Automotive Training Center-Exton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,312 in 18.3 years versus 21.1 years at Peirce College, on median earnings of $51,112 vs $50,660 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Peirce College | Automotive Training Center-Exton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,148 | $12,578 |
| Total net cost | $48,592 | $50,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,660 | $51,112 |
| Median debt | $31,250 | $15,665 |
| Payback | 21.1 yrs | 18.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$2,592 | $4,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Peirce College or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Peirce College, at $12,148 a year after aid versus $12,578 — a gap of $430 a year, or $1,720 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Peirce College or Automotive Training Center-Exton graduates earn more?
Automotive Training Center-Exton graduates report a median $51,112 ten years after entry, $452 more than the $50,660 at Peirce College. 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, Peirce College or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Automotive Training Center-Exton: its completers carry a median $15,665 in federal loans versus $31,250 at Peirce College, a difference of $15,585. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Automotive Training Center-Exton, against 10% at Peirce College. 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.