University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Bradford, Pennsylvania · Public · 88.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Pitt-Bradford scores 75 (Strong Value) overall, but the headline masks a serious completion problem: only 47.6% of students finish a degree, the weakest sub-score on the card. Graduates who do finish earn $44,300 at the six-year mark and $66,125 at ten years, with a 6.5-year payback on a $15,350 net price. Median debt of $24,250 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.547 — workable but not comfortable. The Pitt brand and low price make this a reasonable bet for students who are confident they will complete; the completion rate is the real risk.
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,770/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $26,644/yr |
| Average net price | $15,350/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $61,400 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,125 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $257 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 47.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 995 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford is $14,770/year ($26,644/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,350/year, or roughly $61,400 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,138/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,352/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $257 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $66,125 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,138 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,265 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,407 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,875 |
| $110,001+ | $23,352 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Pell-eligible families in the 0-$30,000 bracket pay $9,138 per year — a genuinely low net price. For low-income students who complete a degree, especially in nursing or computing, the financial outcome is reasonable. The completion rate risk applies equally here: students who leave without graduating still face debt obligations.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket jumps to $17,407 — nearly double the lowest bracket — and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket rises further to $18,875. Middle-income families get less subsidy than low-income students, and the 6.5-year payback period is meaningful at these price points. Program choice matters significantly: health and computing programs justify the cost; lower-earning fields do not.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
At $23,352 net price for families earning $110,000 or more, Pitt-Bradford becomes a harder case to make financially versus other Penn State or Pitt system options. Higher-income students considering this campus should evaluate whether the regional labor market and Pitt-Bradford-specific outcomes justify the choice over the Pittsburgh flagship or other public universities.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $45,013 | F |
| Biology | $62,744 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,837 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $65,892 | C+ |
| Business Administration and Management | $57,594 | C |
| Psychology | $54,379 | D |
| Social Sciences, Other | $44,520 | - |
| Teacher Education | $45,202 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $83,313 | B |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $75,950 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the strongest program at Pitt-Bradford by earnings: 8 graduates earn $72,251 at year one and $83,313 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.374 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $27,000 is high relative to the net price of the institution, but RN earnings in western Pennsylvania make repayment manageable. This program represents a clear economic rationale for attending Pitt-Bradford.
Computer and Information Sciences
CS graduates (18) earn $49,298 at year one and $65,892 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.548 and an ROI grade of C+. The earnings are meaningful but the trajectory is slower than at more research-intensive institutions; the four-year figure of $65,892 is modest for the field nationally. At a $15,350 net price, the cost-to-outcome ratio is defensible for in-state students who can't access better options.
Business Administration and Management
Business (15 graduates) earns $45,781 at year one and $57,594 at year four — the lowest four-year figure among the school's business-adjacent programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.582 (ROI grade C) means a typical graduate carries debt equal to over half a year's earnings. Students should weigh whether a regional Pitt campus business degree commands the premium needed to justify the borrowing.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice has the third-highest enrollment volume at 20 graduates but earns only $36,959 at year one and $52,837 at year four, with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.731. Graduates carry $27,000 in median debt against modest starting salaries. Students choosing this path at Pitt-Bradford face a slow payback and limited wage growth — most public safety careers do not reward liberal arts bachelor's degrees at a meaningful premium.
Biology
Biology (22 graduates) earns $33,576 at year one and $62,744 at year four, reflecting the well-documented pattern of biology graduates entering graduate or medical programs that delay near-term earnings. The D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.745 and $25,000 median debt look worse before year four; students planning for health professional school should factor in additional borrowing beyond the undergraduate figure.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology is the highest-volume program with 28 graduates, yet it earns only $24,916 at year one and $45,013 at year four — an F-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.084. Graduates carry $27,000 in median debt and earn less in their first year than they borrowed. This is the worst financial outcome among Pitt-Bradford programs and should be approached with caution unless students are planning immediate entry into physical therapy or graduate programs.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 79.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-28 |
| Enrollment | 995 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 47.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,088 |
Pitt-Bradford admits 88.5% of applicants with SAT math ranging 500-580 and ACT composite 20-28, placing it firmly in the open-access tier. The Pitt brand does carry weight with employers, but students should understand this is a regional campus with a very different profile from Pittsburgh's flagship. Admission is not a barrier here; retention and completion are the real hurdles.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Pitt-Bradford's peer set includes Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online, University of Minnesota Crookston, and Charter Oak State College. Among this group, Pitt-Bradford's 75 overall score places it competitively, but its 47.6% completion rate is a significant liability. East Stroudsburg (a regional Pennsylvania public) serves a similar student demographic at comparable cost. The Pitt brand is Pitt-Bradford's primary differentiating asset versus most of these peers.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford (this school) | 75 | $15,350 | $66,125 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston | 75 | $12,212 | $58,056 |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online | 72 | $10,864 | $66,479 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
Who Thrives Here
This school fits cost-conscious Pennsylvania residents who want the Pitt name at a fraction of the flagship price, particularly those entering health fields or computing where earnings justify the debt. Students who struggle academically or have uncertain plans face below-even odds of graduating — the 47.6% completion rate means more than half of enrolling students leave without a degree. The 89% acceptance rate and SAT Math 25th percentile of 500 reflect an open-enrollment posture.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $15,350 per year ($61,400 over four years), graduates earn a median of $66,125 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.5 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows a 47.6% graduation rate.
Median debt of $24,250 against $66,125 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.