UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing vs Johnson College: which has better ROI?
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,496 in 5.7 years versus 5.8 years at Johnson College, on median earnings of $68,801 vs $55,194 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing | Johnson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,374 | $19,954 |
| Total net cost | $117,496 | $39,908 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,801 | $55,194 |
| Median debt | $19,666 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 5.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $291,324 | $96,772 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing or Johnson College?
Johnson College, at $19,954 a year after aid versus $29,374 — a gap of $9,420 a year, or $77,588 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing or Johnson College graduates earn more?
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing graduates report a median $68,801 ten years after entry, $13,607 more than the $55,194 at Johnson 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, UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing or Johnson College?
Johnson College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $19,666 at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, a difference of $7,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, against 55% at Johnson 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.