At $30,074/yr net price, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus 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
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,074 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $120,296 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,125/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$32,125/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 84.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,007/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,397/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,179/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,931/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,824/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $220,906 | |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies. | Master | $172,991 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $136,434 | $80,061 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $108,012 | $41,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $99,174 | $113,974 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | $90,572 | $49,367 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Doctoral | $83,546 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $83,177 | $235,835 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $81,702 | $58,970 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $81,702 |
The Risk Factor
84.3% of students at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Pitt's Pittsburgh campus gives you a solid financial return. You graduate with median debt of about $24,000 against median earnings of $66,000 ten years out, so your debt load stays below one year's pay. The 84% graduation rate and 92% retention rate mean you are likely to finish and finish on time, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off. Dropping out with debt and no degree is the real risk, and Pitt keeps that risk low.
Engineering and computer science carry the returns here. Industrial engineering leads at nearly $70,000, with electrical, chemical, and computer science all clustered close behind. Debt for these majors stays around $24,000-$25,000, so the payoff is clean. Pittsburgh's regional economy in healthcare, tech, and manufacturing supports these fields directly, which helps explain why these graduates land those salaries close to home.
The listed top earners are all engineering and CS. If you pursue majors outside those fields, expect earnings closer to or below the $66,000 median, and the math on a $30,000 annual net price gets tighter. Pitt does not publish strong outcomes for non-technical majors, so weigh your debt carefully if you head that direction.
Net price is where family income matters most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,000-$18,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 range and you pay roughly $32,000, nearly double. Above $110,000, you pay close to the full $35,000 sticker with little discount.
Pitt fits you well if you are aiming at engineering or computer science, especially from a lower-income family where the net price drops sharply. If you are a full-pay family steering toward a lower-earning major, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus worth the cost?
Pitt offers strong value with median debt of $24,250 and 10-year earnings of $66,125, making it manageable for most graduates. The health science programs justify the cost with much higher salaries, while liberal arts majors may struggle more with the return on investment.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
Dentistry leads at $220,906 median earnings, followed by medical studies at $172,991 and nursing at $136,434. These health science programs significantly outperform the overall school average and justify higher education costs.
How much student debt do University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $24,250, which is reasonable compared to the $66,125 average earnings after 10 years. This debt-to-income ratio makes Pitt more affordable than many comparable universities.
Does University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus have good financial aid?
With a net price of $30,074 per year, Pitt provides decent financial aid that brings costs below sticker price for most students. The relatively low median debt suggests aid packages help keep borrowing manageable.