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University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly: which has better ROI?

Public, Greensburg PA · vs · Public, Lemont Furnace PA

The verdict

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,384 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $66,125 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Pittsburgh-GreensburgPennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly
Net price / yr$17,945$14,596
Total net cost$71,780$58,384
Median earnings, 10 yrs$66,125$63,435
Median debt$24,250$25,000
Payback4 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$283,520$243,116

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

Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly, at $14,596 a year after aid versus $17,945 — a gap of $3,349 a year, or $13,396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly graduates earn more?

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $2,690 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly. 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, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly?

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, against 39% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly. 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.

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly: frequently asked questions

Is University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly a better value?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly. It clears its $58,384 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $66,125 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly: $14,596/yr net price after aid versus $17,945/yr at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg — a difference of $3,349 a year, or about $13,396 over four years.
Do University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg graduates earn a median $66,125 ten years after entry, versus $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly — a $2,690 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.