Head-to-head comparison
Community College of Allegheny County vs Duquesne University: which has better ROI?
Option A Pittsburgh, PA
Community College of Allegheny County
- Net price / year
- $13,970
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,449
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Pittsburgh, PA
Duquesne University
- Net price / year
- $37,730
- Earnings, 10 years
- $74,742
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
Duquesne University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $150,920 in 5.7 years versus not at all at Community College of Allegheny County, on median earnings of $74,742 vs $39,449 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Allegheny County | Duquesne University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,970 | $37,730 |
| Total net cost | $27,940 | $150,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,449 | $74,742 |
| Median debt | $12,680 | $26,244 |
| Payback | — | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$206,160 | $376,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Community College of Allegheny County or Duquesne University?
Community College of Allegheny County, at $13,970 a year after aid versus $37,730 — a gap of $23,760 a year, or $122,980 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Community College of Allegheny County or Duquesne University graduates earn more?
Duquesne University graduates report a median $74,742 ten years after entry, $35,293 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Community College of Allegheny County or Duquesne University?
Community College of Allegheny County: its completers carry a median $12,680 in federal loans versus $26,244 at Duquesne University, a difference of $13,564. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Duquesne University, 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.