Head-to-head comparison
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics: 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 West Mifflin, PA
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
- Net price / year
- $32,618
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,642
- Payback
- 7.1 yrs
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,736 in 6.9 years versus 7.1 years at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, on median earnings of $66,125 vs $66,642 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $32,618 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $130,472 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $66,642 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $12,230 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | $235,168 |
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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, at $30,434 a year after aid versus $32,618 — a gap of $2,184 a year, or $8,736 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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics graduates earn more?
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics graduates report a median $66,642 ten years after entry, $517 more than the $66,125 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. 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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics?
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics: its completers carry a median $12,230 in federal loans versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, a difference of $12,020. 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 76% at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. 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.