At $25,754/yr net price, Pittsburgh Technical College graduates earn $40,770/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,770/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,754 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,016 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,770/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,770/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 15.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,416 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,690/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,588/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,871/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,656/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,726/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,563 | $24,539 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,044 | $14,635 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $39,927 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $39,729 | $14,499 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $37,748 | $14,499 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,517 | $19,353 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,959 | $18,625 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,900 | $13,302 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,156 | $14,499 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $35,416 |
The Risk Factor
53.1% of students at Pittsburgh Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Pittsburgh Technical College hands you a weak financial return. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $40,770, and after four years at a net price of $25,754, your total cost lands near six figures before interest. That earnings figure barely clears what many associate-degree holders make, and it puts a real ceiling on how fast you can pay down loans.
The bright spot is stickiness. A 92.31% retention rate means almost everyone who starts comes back for year two, and a 53.10% graduation rate is respectable for a career-focused school. Median debt of $17,416 is also lower than the full sticker cost suggests, so you likely won't leave buried in loans. But low debt paired with low earnings still means a slow payoff.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so treat any program-specific pitch skeptically until you see earnings for the exact credential you'd enroll in. Ask admissions for the median pay of graduates from your specific program, not the school-wide number.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $21,690. over $110k, you pay $30,726. That $9,000 spread is thin, meaning lower-income families here don't get the steep discounts many private schools offer. Your out-of-pocket cost stays high across the board.
This school fits you if you want a fast, structured path into a Pittsburgh-area technical field and can graduate in the standard timeframe. It's a poor fit if you're financing the whole cost with loans and expecting earnings to climb quickly, because $40,770 won't clear that debt fast. Price out your exact program's earnings before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburgh Technical College worth the cost?
Pittsburgh Technical College's return on investment is mixed, with graduates earning $40,770 ten years after enrollment against a net price of $25,754 per year. The nursing programs show strong earnings potential at $48,563, but other programs lag behind with computer programming graduates earning just $37,748.
What are the best paying programs at Pittsburgh Technical College?
Nursing programs offer the highest returns at Pittsburgh Technical College, with registered nursing graduates earning $48,563 annually. Electrical engineering technology ($42,044) and precision metalworking ($39,729) also provide decent earnings, while computer programming trails at $37,748.
How much debt do Pittsburgh Technical College graduates have?
Pittsburgh Technical College graduates carry a median debt of $17,416, which is relatively manageable compared to many four-year schools. However, with only a 53% graduation rate, many students may leave with debt but no degree.
What is the graduation rate at Pittsburgh Technical College?
Pittsburgh Technical College has a 53% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who enroll never complete their programs. This creates significant financial risk for students who accumulate debt without earning a credential.