University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Carnegie Mellon University: which has better ROI?
Carnegie Mellon University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,776 in 1.9 years versus 6.9 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $66,125 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Carnegie Mellon University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $31,944 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $127,776 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $114,862 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,750 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | $1,202,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Carnegie Mellon University?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, at $30,434 a year after aid versus $31,944 — a gap of $1,510 a year, or $6,040 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-Pittsburgh Campus or Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates report a median $114,862 ten years after entry, $48,737 more than the $66,125 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. 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-Pittsburgh Campus or Carnegie Mellon University?
Carnegie Mellon University: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Carnegie Mellon University, against 86% at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. 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.