Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania Western University vs All-State Career School-Pittsburgh: which has better ROI?
Option A California, PA
Pennsylvania Western University
- Net price / year
- $18,256
- Earnings, 10 years
- $47,295
- Payback
- No payback
Option B West Mifflin, PA
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh
- Net price / year
- $15,576
- Earnings, 10 years
- $33,193
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pennsylvania Western University comes closer — median earnings $47,295 against a $73,024 total, vs $33,193 at All-State Career School-Pittsburgh. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania Western University | All-State Career School-Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,256 | $15,576 |
| Total net cost | $73,024 | $62,304 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,295 | $33,193 |
| Median debt | $23,725 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$94,324 | -$365,644 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania Western University or All-State Career School-Pittsburgh?
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh, at $15,576 a year after aid versus $18,256 — a gap of $2,680 a year, or $10,720 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 Western University or All-State Career School-Pittsburgh graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania Western University graduates report a median $47,295 ten years after entry, $14,102 more than the $33,193 at All-State Career School-Pittsburgh. 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 Western University or All-State Career School-Pittsburgh?
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $23,725 at Pennsylvania Western University, a difference of $14,225. 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 All-State Career School-Pittsburgh, against 52% at Pennsylvania Western University. 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.