University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs East Stroudsburg 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 19-point ROI advantage over East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, scoring 70/100 versus 51/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania comes in at $18,134 per year (net price after aid) versus $30,434 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - a difference of $12,300 annually, or roughly $49,200 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates earn a median of $66,125 compared to $56,148 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. The payback period is 8.4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus versus 10 years at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Graduates leave East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania with a median $24,218 in debt versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.55 and 0.69 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Pittsburgh-... | East Stroudsburg Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $21,926 | $11,536 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,430 | $19,502 |
| Net Price (avg) | $30,434 | $18,134 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $121,736 | $72,536 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,300 | $35,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $66,125 | $56,148 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.5% | 43.1% |
| Payback Period | 8.4 yr | 10 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $24,250 | $24,218 |
| Monthly Payment | $257 | $257 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.55 | 0.69 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 84.2% | 77.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 79.8% | 75.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 58.1% | 92.0% |
| Enrollment | 20,370 | 4,814 |
| SAT Range | 1280-1460 | 1000-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Pittsb... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $14,709 | $15,365 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,371 | $14,511 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $23,192 | $17,382 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,567 | $21,135 |
| $110,001+ | $36,008 | $22,892 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Pittsb... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $49,865 | $104,383 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $65,892 | $104,026 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,313 | $97,321 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $95,917 | $58,287 |
| Chemistry | $70,206 | $73,146 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $69,573 | $53,559 |
| International Relations | $66,231 | $42,428 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $63,436 | $60,249 |
| Biology | $62,744 | $63,320 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $47,989 | $58,113 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,837 | $57,494 |
| Mathematics | $56,143 | $48,828 |
| Social Work | $56,092 | $50,979 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $52,228 | $55,303 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $45,013 | $55,237 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Pittsb... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 56 | 65 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 72 | 61 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 64 | 31 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 26 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 61 |
| Overall ROI Score | 70 | 51 |
The Verdict
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus significantly outperforms East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania on financial ROI (70 vs 51). The 19-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless East Stroudsburg 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.
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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Below Average 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.