University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics: 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 7.1 years at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $66,642 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $32,618 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $130,472 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $66,642 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $12,230 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | $235,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, at $30,434 a year after aid versus $32,618 — a gap of $2,184 a year, or $8,736 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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics graduates earn more?
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics graduates report a median $66,642 ten years after entry, $517 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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics?
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics: its completers carry a median $12,230 in federal loans versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, a difference of $12,020. 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 76% at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. 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.