Head-to-head comparison
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: which has better ROI?
Option A Johnstown, PA
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
- Net price / year
- $18,202
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,125
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
Option B McKeesport, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny
- Net price / year
- $15,521
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,808 in 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,202 | $15,521 |
| Total net cost | $72,808 | $62,084 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $282,492 | $239,416 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, at $15,521 a year after aid versus $18,202 — a gap of $2,681 a year, or $10,724 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 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $2,690 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, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, a difference of $750. 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?
56% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, 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.