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's financial picture is mixed and leans risky. Ten years out, half of graduates earn around $45,856, which barely clears what a private-nonprofit degree costing nearly $25,000 a year should return. With median debt at $27,000, you're borrowing close to a full year's sticker price and paying it back on earnings that many bachelor's holders match without a four-year degree.
Your major decides everything here. The two engineering technology programs are the clear winners, both clearing $67,000 and beating the school's median by more than $20,000. Computer and information technology management follows at a workable level. Below that, the payoff thins out fast. Accounting graduates land under $43,000, and human resources isn't much better, both dragging near or below the school-wide median despite the Pittsburgh region having steady demand for business roles.
The specific risk is completion combined with debt. A 59.6% graduation rate and a 70.81% retention rate mean roughly three in ten of you don't return after the first year. Leaving with debt and no credential is the worst outcome, and those odds here are real.
The net price tiers are unusually flat. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $19,000. if it earns over $110,000, you pay about $29,375. That $10,000 spread is narrow, so aid does little to close the gap for lower-income families. You'll carry most of the cost regardless of income.
This school fits you if you're set on electrical or mechanical engineering technology, where the earnings justify the price. If you're aiming at accounting, HR, or an undecided path, the cost is hard to defend, and a cheaper Pennsylvania public option would leave you with less debt against similar earnings.
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.