University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Community College of Allegheny County: which has better ROI?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,736 in 6.9 years versus not at all at Community College of Allegheny County, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $39,449 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Community College of Allegheny County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $13,970 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $27,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $39,449 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $12,680 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | -$206,160 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Community College of Allegheny County?
Community College of Allegheny County, at $13,970 a year after aid versus $30,434 — a gap of $16,464 a year, or $93,796 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 Community College of Allegheny County graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $26,676 more than the $39,449 at Community College of Allegheny County. 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 Community College of Allegheny County?
Community College of Allegheny County: its completers carry a median $12,680 in federal loans versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, a difference of $11,570. 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 24% at Community College of Allegheny County. 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.