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University of Puget Sound vs Perry Technical Institute: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Tacoma WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Yakima WA

The verdict

University of Puget Sound has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $153,576 in 7.2 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $69,594 vs $57,764 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puget SoundPerry Technical Institute
Net price / yr$38,394$20,047
Total net cost$153,576$80,188
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,594$57,764
Median debt$25,000$14,139
Payback7.2 yrs8.5 yrs
20-year net return$271,104$107,892

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute, at $20,047 a year after aid versus $38,394 — a gap of $18,347 a year, or $73,388 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 Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?

University of Puget Sound graduates report a median $69,594 ten years after entry, $11,830 more than the $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute. 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 Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute: its completers carry a median $14,139 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Puget Sound, a difference of $10,861. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Perry Technical Institute, against 68% at University of Puget Sound. 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.

University of Puget Sound vs Perry Technical Institute: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute a better value?
University of Puget Sound. It clears its $153,576 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $69,594 vs $57,764 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute?
Perry Technical Institute: $20,047/yr net price after aid versus $38,394/yr at University of Puget Sound — a difference of $18,347 a year, or about $73,388 over four years.
Do University of Puget Sound or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?
University of Puget Sound graduates earn a median $69,594 ten years after entry, versus $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute — a $11,830 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.