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Pittsburg State University vs Benedictine College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pittsburg KS · vs · Private nonprofit, Atchison KS

The verdict

Benedictine College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,564 in 23.2 years versus 28.5 years at Pittsburg State University, on median earnings of $53,175 vs $50,579 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePittsburg State UniversityBenedictine College
Net price / yr$15,784$27,891
Total net cost$63,136$111,564
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,579$53,175
Median debt$18,969$24,599
Payback28.5 yrs23.2 yrs
20-year net return-$18,756-$15,264

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

Which is cheaper, Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College?

Pittsburg State University, at $15,784 a year after aid versus $27,891 — a gap of $12,107 a year, or $48,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College graduates earn more?

Benedictine College graduates report a median $53,175 ten years after entry, $2,596 more than the $50,579 at Pittsburg State University. 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, Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College?

Pittsburg State University: its completers carry a median $18,969 in federal loans versus $24,599 at Benedictine College, a difference of $5,630. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Benedictine College, against 57% at Pittsburg State University. 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.

Pittsburg State University vs Benedictine College: frequently asked questions

Is Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College a better value?
Benedictine College. It clears its $111,564 net cost in about 23.2 years versus 28.5 years at Pittsburg State University, on median earnings of $53,175 vs $50,579 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College?
Pittsburg State University: $15,784/yr net price after aid versus $27,891/yr at Benedictine College — a difference of $12,107 a year, or about $48,428 over four years.
Do Pittsburg State University or Benedictine College graduates earn more?
Benedictine College graduates earn a median $53,175 ten years after entry, versus $50,579 at Pittsburg State University — a $2,596 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.