At $12,882/yr net price, Commonwealth Technical Institute graduates earn $21,632/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,882 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $21,632/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-12,368/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.4% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,117/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,664/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,170/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,421/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Certificate | $17,060 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $13,702 |
The Risk Factor
74.4% of students at Commonwealth Technical Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 26% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at Commonwealth Technical Institute is weak, and the numbers make that clear. Median earnings ten years out sit at $21,632 a year, which is close to what many people earn without any postsecondary training at all. You pay roughly $12,882 a year in net price to attend, so the gap between what you spend and what you earn afterward is thin.
The two programs with reported earnings both pay below that median. The Building/Construction Finishing certificate leads at $17,060, and the Health and Medical Administrative Services associate degree comes in at $13,702. Neither figure clears $20,000, and the associate degree earns less than the shorter certificate. If you are choosing between the two on money alone, the construction certificate pays more for less time enrolled. Neither is a path to comfortable income in the Johnstown area.
The specific risk here is the mismatch between cost and payoff. A two-year associate program can leave you with two years of net price and earnings that trail the certificate track. The 74.4% graduation rate is a point in your favor, so finishing is likely, but finishing does not fix the low earnings on the other side.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, you pay $18,170, more than families earning under $30,000 pay at $12,117 and more than the $75,000 to $110,000 tier pays at $14,421. That middle band is the worst deal at this school.
This school fits you if you want a short, specific technical credential and can keep costs down, especially the construction track. If you are weighing a career that needs higher earnings to justify the price, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Commonwealth Technical Institute worth the cost?
With graduates earning $21,632 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $12,882 per year, the financial return is low compared to other technical schools. The debt-to-income ratio makes this a high-risk investment for most students.
What are the highest paying programs at Commonwealth Technical Institute?
Building/Construction programs offer the best earnings at $17,060 annually, while Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates earn only $13,702. Both figures fall well below the national average for technical program graduates.
How much debt do Commonwealth Technical Institute graduates typically have?
At $12,882 per year, students face significant debt relative to their post-graduation earnings of $21,632. This creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio that may take decades to overcome.
Does Commonwealth Technical Institute have good job placement rates?
While the school has a 74% graduation rate, the low earnings data suggests graduates struggle to find well-paying positions. Most programs lead to jobs paying less than $18,000 annually.