Pittsburg, KS · Private University
Is Pittsburg State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$50,579
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,008
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,692
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$78,768
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.57x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
57.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,969
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,889
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Pittsburg State University graduates earn $5,579 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Pittsburg State University ranked by graduate earnings
104 graduates
47 graduates
18 graduates
23 graduates
63 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Pittsburg State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Pittsburg State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Management: $80,008) and the lowest (Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General: $29,539) is $50,469/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction ManagementBest ROI | $80,008 | 4.1x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $76,678 | 3.9x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $69,750 | 3.5x |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other(1yr data) | $66,582 | 3.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $65,282 | 3.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,001 | 3.0x |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $58,169 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,556 | 2.9x |
| Marketing | $53,586 | 2.7x |
| Biology, General | $51,950 | 2.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $50,671 | 2.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,091 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,590 | 2.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,819 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,273 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,578 | 2.2x |
| Social Work | $40,794 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,868 | 2.0x |
| Graphic Communications | $39,455 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $37,963 | 1.9x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies(1yr data) | $35,587 | 1.8x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralLowest | $29,539 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Pittsburg State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $50,579 10 years after starting, $5,579 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.