Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny vs UPMC Jameson School of Nursing: which has better ROI?
Option A McKeesport, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny
- Net price / year
- $15,521
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
Option B New Castle, PA
UPMC Jameson School of Nursing
- Net price / year
- $22,889
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,472
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
UPMC Jameson School of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,556 in 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $70,472 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | UPMC Jameson School of Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,521 | $22,889 |
| Total net cost | $62,084 | $91,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $70,472 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $239,416 | $350,684 |
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 Greater Allegheny or UPMC Jameson School of Nursing?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, at $15,521 a year after aid versus $22,889 — a gap of $7,368 a year, or $29,472 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 Greater Allegheny or UPMC Jameson School of Nursing graduates earn more?
UPMC Jameson School of Nursing graduates report a median $70,472 ten years after entry, $7,037 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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 Greater Allegheny or UPMC Jameson School of Nursing?
UPMC Jameson School of Nursing: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, a difference of $13,000. 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?
60% of students finish at UPMC Jameson School of Nursing, against 19% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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.