University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: which has better ROI?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,808 in 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,202 | $15,521 |
| Total net cost | $72,808 | $62,084 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $282,492 | $239,416 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, at $15,521 a year after aid versus $18,202 — a gap of $2,681 a year, or $10,724 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-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $2,690 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, 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?
56% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, against 19% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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.