At $24,791/yr net price, Point Park University graduates earn $45,856/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,856/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,791 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,164 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,856/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,856/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,999/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,027/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,522/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,599/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,375/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $67,101 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,735 | $35,228 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $56,415 | |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $44,942 | |
| Journalism. | Master | $44,590 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $41,565 |
The Risk Factor
59.6% of students at Point Park University 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
Point Park University offers mixed financial returns that depend heavily on your choice of major. The school's median graduate earns $45,856 after ten years, which creates a challenging payback scenario given the $24,791 annual net cost.
Engineering technology programs provide the strongest financial outcomes, with electrical engineering technicians earning $69,338 and mechanical engineering technicians earning $67,101. Business administration graduates earn $57,735 but carry higher debt loads at $35,228, reducing the net benefit. Computer information technology and intelligence operations round out the top-earning programs.
The school's 59.6% graduation rate presents significant financial risk. Nearly four in ten students leave without completing their degree, making the investment particularly dangerous if you struggle academically or financially. The 70.8% first-year retention rate suggests many students recognize early that Point Park may not be worth the cost.
Point Park works best financially if you can access one of the high-earning technical programs and graduate on time. The Pittsburgh job market supports these technical roles reasonably well. However, students considering liberal arts or lower-earning programs face poor prospects given the debt burden.
Financial aid reaches only 37% of students, suggesting limited merit scholarship opportunities for middle-income families. If you cannot access significant aid or target a high-earning program, community college followed by transfer or choosing a less expensive regional public university will likely provide better financial outcomes than Point Park's current cost structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Point Park University worth the cost?
Point Park University's ROI is mixed, with graduates earning $45,856 after 10 years against $24,791 annual costs and $27,000 median debt. The payback depends heavily on your major, as engineering technology graduates earn significantly more than the school average.
What are the best paying programs at Point Park University?
Electrical and mechanical engineering technology programs at Point Park University offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning $67,000-$69,000 annually. Business administration and IT management graduates earn around $56,000-$57,000, which is above the school's overall graduate average.
How much debt do Point Park University students graduate with?
Point Park University graduates have a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for engineering technology majors but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying programs. The 59.6% graduation rate means many students take on debt without completing their degree.
Does Point Park University provide good financial aid?
Point Park University's net price of $24,791 per year suggests moderate financial aid availability. However, with graduate earnings of $45,856 and significant debt loads, the financial aid may not be sufficient to ensure strong ROI for most programs.