Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing: which has better ROI?
Option A Altoona, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
- Net price / year
- $22,213
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 5.9 yrs
Option B Pittsburgh, PA
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
- Net price / year
- $29,374
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,801
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,496 in 5.7 years versus 5.9 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, on median earnings of $68,801 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,213 | $29,374 |
| Total net cost | $88,852 | $117,496 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $68,801 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,666 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $212,648 | $291,324 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, at $22,213 a year after aid versus $29,374 — a gap of $7,161 a year, or $28,644 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing graduates earn more?
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing graduates report a median $68,801 ten years after entry, $5,366 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing?
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing: its completers carry a median $19,666 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, a difference of $5,334. 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?
75% of students finish at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, against 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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.