University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania · Public · 95.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 71/100 · Fair Value
Pitt-Greensburg, a regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Westmoreland County, posts a Fair Value ROI score of 71/100 - the highest in this batch. The earnings premium subscore of 85 and the 6.8-year payback period are exceptional for a public regional campus, driven in part by graduates who finish at Pitt's main campus or carry the Pitt credential into the broader Pittsburgh-area labor market. Median earnings six years after entry are $44,300, climbing to $66,125 by year ten. Tuition is $14,710 in-state, average net price after aid is $17,945, totaling $71,780 over four years. Median federal debt is $24,250 with a 0.547 debt-to-earnings ratio. The strong 84.2% three-year repayment rate confirms financial health among graduates. The 39.7% completion rate is the headline drag and partly reflects students transferring to Pitt's main Oakland campus, though it also includes genuine dropout that should be considered.
The data raises concerns about University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate39.7% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,710/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $26,584/yr |
| Average net price | $17,945/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $71,780 |
| 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 | 6.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,305 |
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-Greensburg is $14,710/year ($26,584/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 $17,945/year, or roughly $71,780 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,514/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,751/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 | $9,514 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,146 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,877 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,381 |
| $110,001+ | $24,751 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $9,514 net per year, and the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $10,146. Pell, PHEAA grants, and Pitt institutional aid stack effectively. Four-year out-of-pocket near $40K is genuine value for a Pitt credential.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $15,877 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $21,381. The mid-tier ramp is steep but typical of public regional pricing. Four-year cost of $63K-$85K is competitive with most public alternatives in western Pennsylvania.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $24,751 per year, $99,004 over four years. Effectively full-pay. For Western Pennsylvania full-pay families, the choice is typically Pitt-Greensburg versus Pitt-Oakland; the Greensburg path offers cost savings but loses the main-campus residential experience.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $54,379 | D |
| Biology | $62,744 | D |
| Business Administration and Management | $57,594 | C |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $57,012 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $65,892 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,837 | D |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $83,516 | B |
| Teacher Education | $45,202 | D |
| Accounting | $82,966 | B |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $63,707 | D |
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.
Psychology
Psychology is Pitt-Greensburg's largest cohort (42 grads) and earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $34,377 against $26,000 of median debt produce a 0.756 ratio. Four-year earnings of $54,379 reflect graduates who continue to graduate study. Without graduate work, terminal-bachelor's Psychology careers stall in the $40K range.
Biology
Biology (41 grads) earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $33,576 climb to $62,744 by year four with $25,000 of debt for a 0.745 ratio. The relatively healthy four-year figure reflects the pre-health pipeline from Pitt-Greensburg into medical, dental, and PA programs at Pitt main campus and elsewhere.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration (21 grads) earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $45,781 and a 0.582 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four-year earnings of $57,594 reflect placement into Pittsburgh-area corporate, banking, and healthcare administration roles.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (20 grads) earns a C+ ROI grade. First-year earnings of $49,298 climb to $65,892 by year four with $27,000 of debt yielding a 0.548 ratio. Pittsburgh's growing tech corridor (Argo AI, Carnegie Robotics, Duolingo) supports placement.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health Administration (15 grads) earns a B ROI grade. First-year earnings of $55,762 climb to $83,516 by year four with just $22,662 of median debt for a 0.406 ratio. UPMC's massive Western Pennsylvania healthcare system drives direct placement at strong starting salaries.
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 | 95.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 510-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 545-633 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-26 |
| Enrollment | 1,305 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,269 |
Pitt-Greensburg admits 95.2% of applicants, reflecting a branch-campus access mission. SAT mid-ranges of 510-620 math and 545-633 reading plus ACT 17-26 indicate decent academic preparation despite the high admit rate. Students arriving with stronger preparation typically transfer to Pitt's main campus after the second year, which inflates the apparent dropout rate. The Pitt credential at any campus carries real labor-market value across Western Pennsylvania.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Pitt-Greensburg's peer set includes Pennsylvania branch and regional campuses (Cheyney, East Stroudsburg) plus a mix of regional comprehensives. Pitt-Greensburg outperforms most of these peers on earnings premium because the Pitt brand opens doors that Cheyney or East Stroudsburg do not. The closest structural comparison is University of New Hampshire's College of Professional Studies model - regional campus of a flagship system. Pitt-Greensburg's labor-market access is the differentiator.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg (this school) | 71 | $17,945 | $66,125 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online | 72 | $10,864 | $66,479 |
| Montana Technological University | 69 | $16,481 | $54,329 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment of 1,305 and a 37.7% Pell rate signal a small, mid-income leaning regional campus. The school fits Westmoreland County and southwestern Pennsylvania students who want the Pitt brand at a regional-campus price with smaller classes and the option to transfer to main campus. Strongest fit: students declared in Accounting, Computer Science, Health Administration, or Applied Mathematics where outcomes are strongest. Students intending to remain at the Greensburg campus through degree completion should be intentional about major selection.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $17,945 per year leads to $71,780 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $66,125 a decade out. The payback period of 6.8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows a 39.7% 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.