University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Cedar Crest College: which has better ROI?
Cedar Crest College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,636 in 6.7 years versus 6.9 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, on median earnings of $59,460 vs $66,125 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Cedar Crest College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $18,659 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $74,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $59,460 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | $147,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Cedar Crest College?
Cedar Crest College, at $18,659 a year after aid versus $30,434 — a gap of $11,775 a year, or $47,100 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 Cedar Crest College graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $6,665 more than the $59,460 at Cedar Crest 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, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Cedar Crest College?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Cedar Crest College, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, against 60% at Cedar Crest 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.