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93.6%Acceptance
$14,620Tuition
980Students
43%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$66,125Earnings
Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24
Return on Investment: Strong

At $16,630/yr net price, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford graduates earn $66,125/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $32,125/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $16,630
Estimated 4-Year Cost $66,520
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $66,125/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$32,125/yr
Estimated Break-Even 2.1 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 43.4%
Median Debt at Graduation $24,250

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $11,352/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $11,294/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $14,898/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $21,611/yr
$110,001+ $23,283/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $60,207 $23,000
Applied Mathematics. Bachelor $55,286 $21,500
Accounting and Related Services. Bachelor $55,136 $24,188
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $54,386 $20,012
Economics. Bachelor $43,479 $24,989
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians. Associate $40,485
Business/Commerce, General. Bachelor $37,424 $23,059
Chemistry. Bachelor $37,424 $27,000
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Bachelor $34,793 $24,046
Social Sciences, Other. Bachelor $33,993

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Elevated Risk

43.4% of students at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford 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

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford gives you a solid financial return for a public regional campus. A $66,125 median salary ten years out against roughly $24,250 in debt means most graduates carry less than half a year's pay in loans. That ratio works in your favor if you finish.

The catch is finishing. Only 61% of students come back for a second year, and fewer than half graduate. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and the numbers say that risk is real at Bradford. Weigh whether you'll stay before you enroll.

Nursing is the clear payoff. It leads program earnings and does it on below-average debt, a strong combination in a region where hospitals hire steadily. Applied Mathematics and Accounting follow closely, both clearing $55k. Choose one of these three and the math works cleanly.

Economics and general Business are weaker bets. Business graduates earn around $37k while carrying debt similar to nursing majors who out-earn them by more than $22k a year. Same loan, far less income. If business is your plan, know you're paying nursing-level costs for a lower return.

Net price rewards lower-income families. If your household earns under $48k, you pay around $11,300 a year, roughly half the sticker rate. Above $110k, you pay about $23,300, and the return still holds if you land in a high-earning major. The middle tier ($75-110k) sees the price jump to $21,611, so budget for a sharper cost climb as income rises.

Bradford fits you if you want nursing, math, or accounting and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to general business or unsure you'll stay past the first year, since the low retention rate makes an unfinished degree a costly gamble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University of Pittsburgh-Bradford worth the cost?

With a net price of $16,630 and median earnings of $66,125 after 10 years, Pitt-Bradford offers reasonable value for in-state students. However, the 43% graduation rate means many students don't finish their degree, which significantly reduces ROI.

What are the highest paying majors at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford?

Nursing programs lead with earnings around $54,000-$60,000, followed by applied mathematics at $55,286 and accounting at $55,136. Economics graduates earn significantly less at $43,479, making program choice critical for ROI.

How much debt do University of Pittsburgh-Bradford graduates typically have?

The median debt is $24,250, which is manageable compared to the $66,125 average earnings 10 years post-graduation. This debt-to-income ratio suggests reasonable affordability for most graduates who complete their degrees.

What are the biggest risks of attending University of Pittsburgh-Bradford?

The 43% graduation rate is the major concern, meaning over half of students don't finish their degree but may still accumulate debt. The school's 93% acceptance rate also indicates less selective admissions, which correlates with lower completion rates.