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Pittsburg State University vs Kansas Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Pittsburg State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,136 in 28.5 years versus 32.5 years at Kansas Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $50,579 vs $51,152 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePittsburg State UniversityKansas Wesleyan University
Net price / yr$15,784$22,671
Total net cost$63,136$90,684
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,579$51,152
Median debt$18,969$23,250
Payback28.5 yrs32.5 yrs
20-year net return-$18,756-$34,844

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

Which is cheaper, Pittsburg State University or Kansas Wesleyan University?

Pittsburg State University, at $15,784 a year after aid versus $22,671 — a gap of $6,887 a year, or $27,548 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 Kansas Wesleyan University graduates earn more?

Kansas Wesleyan University graduates report a median $51,152 ten years after entry, $573 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 Kansas Wesleyan University?

Pittsburg State University: its completers carry a median $18,969 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Kansas Wesleyan University, a difference of $4,281. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Pittsburg State University, against 49% at Kansas Wesleyan 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 Kansas Wesleyan University: frequently asked questions

Is Pittsburg State University or Kansas Wesleyan University a better value?
Pittsburg State University. It clears its $63,136 net cost in about 28.5 years versus 32.5 years at Kansas Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $50,579 vs $51,152 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Pittsburg State University or Kansas Wesleyan University?
Pittsburg State University: $15,784/yr net price after aid versus $22,671/yr at Kansas Wesleyan University — a difference of $6,887 a year, or about $27,548 over four years.
Do Pittsburg State University or Kansas Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
Kansas Wesleyan University graduates earn a median $51,152 ten years after entry, versus $50,579 at Pittsburg State University — a $573 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.