Degree Dividend
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Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pennsylvania Highlands Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,752 against a $12,400 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePennsylvania Highlands Community CollegeBella Capelli Academy
Net price / yr$6,200$20,459
Total net cost$12,400$81,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,752$25,817
Median debt$11,000$8,028
Payback
20-year net return-$204,560-$532,696

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

Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy?

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, at $6,200 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $14,259 a year, or $69,436 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates report a median $38,752 ten years after entry, $12,935 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, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy?

Bella Capelli Academy: its completers carry a median $8,028 in federal loans versus $11,000 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, a difference of $2,972. 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 38% at Pennsylvania Highlands Community 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.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Bella Capelli Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy a better value?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 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, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College: $6,200/yr net price after aid versus $20,459/yr at Bella Capelli Academy — a difference of $14,259 a year, or about $69,436 over four years.
Do Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates earn a median $38,752 ten years after entry, versus $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy — a $12,935 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.