At $15,372/yr net price, Rosedale Technical College graduates earn $47,880/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,880/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,372 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,488 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,880/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,880/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,014/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,310/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,738/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,785/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,635/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation. | Certificate | $47,260 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $39,729 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $37,568 | $12,000 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $37,208 | $3,325 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $37,151 | $12,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $35,701 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $32,569 | $15,958 |
The Risk Factor
80.2% of students at Rosedale Technical College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Rosedale Technical College delivers solid returns for a trade school, with graduates earning $47,880 annually after paying just $15,372 per year and graduating with manageable $12,000 in debt.
Air Transportation programs lead earnings at $47,260, making this your best financial bet at Rosedale. The electrical programs follow close behind, offering strong middle-class incomes in Pittsburgh's growing energy sector. Ground Transportation stands out for its strongly low debt load of $3,325 while still delivering $37,208 in earnings.
You face minimal financial risk here. The 80% graduation rate means most students complete their programs, and the debt levels stay reasonable across all majors. Your biggest risk is choosing vehicle maintenance over the higher-paying specialties, though even that program clears $37,000 annually.
This school works best if you want quick entry into skilled trades without the debt burden of a four-year degree. The Pittsburgh location helps since the region supports both traditional manufacturing and newer energy infrastructure jobs. You should look elsewhere if you need flexible scheduling or want academic transfer options.
Financial aid reaches 56% of students, though the school offers limited merit scholarships compared to larger institutions. Your strategy should focus on federal Pell grants and state aid rather than expecting significant institutional discounts. The relatively low sticker price makes this less critical than at expensive private colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosedale Technical College worth the cost?
Rosedale Technical College offers decent value for trade careers, with graduates earning $47,880 after 10 years and relatively low debt at $12,000 median. The air transportation program shows the strongest ROI at $47,260 starting salary, while other programs hover around $37,000-$39,000.
What are the highest paying programs at Rosedale Technical College?
Air transportation leads at $47,260, followed by electrical and power transmission installer programs around $37,000-$39,000. Vehicle maintenance and ground transportation programs start closer to $37,000, which may not justify the cost for some students.
How much debt do Rosedale Technical College graduates have?
The median debt is $12,000, which is manageable compared to many colleges. With most programs starting around $37,000-$47,000, graduates can typically handle this debt load if they find steady work in their field.
Does Rosedale Technical College have good job placement?
The school has an 80% graduation rate, but job placement data isn't widely available. Given that most programs lead to blue-collar trades, success depends heavily on local job markets and individual networking rather than the school's career services.