University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus holds a 59-point ROI advantage over Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, scoring 70/100 versus 11/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania comes in at $14,265 per year (net price after aid) versus $30,434 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - a difference of $16,169 annually, or roughly $64,676 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates earn a median of $66,125 compared to $37,837 at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. The payback period is 8.4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus versus 69.5 years at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
Graduates leave Cheyney University of Pennsylvania with a median $21,785 in debt versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.55 and 0.92 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Pittsburgh-... | Cheyney University of Pen... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $21,926 | $10,904 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,430 | $18,870 |
| Net Price (avg) | $30,434 | $14,265 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $121,736 | $57,060 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,300 | $23,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $66,125 | $37,837 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.5% | 40.6% |
| Payback Period | 8.4 yr | 69.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $24,250 | $21,785 |
| Monthly Payment | $257 | $231 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.55 | 0.92 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 84.2% | 42.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 79.8% | 27.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 58.1% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 20,370 | 617 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Pittsb... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,709 | $13,585 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,371 | $12,358 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $23,192 | $14,773 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,567 | $20,215 |
| $110,001+ | $36,008 | $16,493 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Pittsb... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $95,917 | $44,072 |
| Sociology | $51,654 | $47,889 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Pittsb... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 56 | 11 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 72 | 10 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 64 | 7 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 5 |
| Overall ROI Score | 70 | 11 |
The Verdict
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus significantly outperforms Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on financial ROI (70 vs 11). The 59-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Cheyney University of Pennsylvania offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.