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Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc vs Thiel College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Exton PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Greenville PA

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,532 in 34.8 years versus 66 years at Thiel College, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $49,714 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania IncThiel College
Net price / yr$24,883$22,347
Total net cost$99,532$89,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,222$49,714
Median debt$14,267$27,000
Payback34.8 yrs66 yrs
20-year net return-$42,292-$62,308

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College?

Thiel College, at $22,347 a year after aid versus $24,883 — a gap of $2,536 a year, or $10,144 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College graduates earn more?

Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc graduates report a median $51,222 ten years after entry, $1,508 more than the $49,714 at Thiel 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, Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College?

Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Thiel College, a difference of $12,733. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc, against 49% at Thiel 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.

Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc vs Thiel College: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College a better value?
Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc. It clears its $99,532 net cost in about 34.8 years versus 66 years at Thiel College, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $49,714 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College?
Thiel College: $22,347/yr net price after aid versus $24,883/yr at Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc — a difference of $2,536 a year, or about $10,144 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc or Thiel College graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc graduates earn a median $51,222 ten years after entry, versus $49,714 at Thiel College — a $1,508 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.