Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs Automotive Training Center-Exton: which has better ROI?
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,432 in 16.8 years versus 18.3 years at Automotive Training Center-Exton, on median earnings of $53,032 vs $51,112 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Automotive Training Center-Exton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,608 | $12,578 |
| Total net cost | $78,432 | $50,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,032 | $51,112 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $15,665 |
| Payback | 16.8 yrs | 18.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $15,008 | $4,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Automotive Training Center-Exton, at $12,578 a year after aid versus $19,608 — a gap of $7,030 a year, or $28,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Automotive Training Center-Exton graduates earn more?
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $53,032 ten years after entry, $1,920 more than the $51,112 at Automotive Training Center-Exton. 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, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Automotive Training Center-Exton?
Automotive Training Center-Exton: its completers carry a median $15,665 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $9,335. 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 66% at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. 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.