Head-to-head comparison
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Community College of Allegheny County: which has better ROI?
Option A Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
- Net price / year
- $30,434
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,125
- Payback
- 6.9 yrs
Option B Pittsburgh, PA
Community College of Allegheny County
- Net price / year
- $13,970
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,449
- Payback
- No payback
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,736 in 6.9 years versus not at all at Community College of Allegheny County, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $39,449 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Community College of Allegheny County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $13,970 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $27,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $39,449 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $12,680 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | -$206,160 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Community College of Allegheny County?
Community College of Allegheny County, at $13,970 a year after aid versus $30,434 — a gap of $16,464 a year, or $93,796 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-Pittsburgh Campus or Community College of Allegheny County graduates earn more?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates report a median $66,125 ten years after entry, $26,676 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, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Community College of Allegheny County?
Community College of Allegheny County: its completers carry a median $12,680 in federal loans versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, a difference of $11,570. 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?
86% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, 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.