University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$86,096
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$19,240/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
347%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus has an in-state tuition of $21,524. One year after graduation, alumni earn $49,721. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $54,240, and after ten years, earnings reach $66,125. The median debt for students is $24,250, and 37.2% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for University of Pittsburgh graduates is favorable. With a median debt of $24,250 and a starting salary of $49,721, graduates have a manageable debt burden relative to their earnings. The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the total cost of education, is relatively short, given the high starting salaries.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$21,524
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$54,240
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
37%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $86,096 | $47,793 | 197% |
| Biology, General. | $86,096 | $50,041 | 249% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $86,096 | $46,599 | 169% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $86,096 | $67,822 | 662% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $86,096 | $55,081 | 366% |
| Marketing. | $86,096 | $66,288 | 627% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $86,096 | $73,298 | 790% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $86,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Social Work. | $86,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | $86,096 | $42,087 | 65% |
| Information Science/Studies. | $86,096 | $105,113 | 1529% |
| Political Science and Government. | $86,096 | $51,632 | 286% |
Peer Comparison
347%
20yr ROI
558%
20yr ROI
558%
20yr ROI
557%
20yr ROI
754%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.