Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pittsburg State University at a Glance
Pittsburg State University is a public university in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. It enrolls approximately 5,500 students and is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.
1903
123 years old
$117M
$116.7 million (2025)
5,383
301
600 acres
Identity
Is Pittsburg State University Worth It?
Pittsburg State University offers moderate value at $15,784/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $50,579, which is 6% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Pittsburg State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #53 of 174 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #53 | Pittsburg State University | 46 | $15,784 | $50,579 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pittsburg State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in KS.
Best Programs at Pittsburg State University
The highest-earning program at Pittsburg State University is Construction Management at $64,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Construction Management graduate from Pittsburg State University earns $64,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Construction Management graduates carry $24,070 in median debt vs. $20,791 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,784/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | $64,700 | $64,700 | $24,070 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $59,400 | $59,400 | $23,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,400 | $52,400 | $21,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $49,500 | $49,500 | $20,500 |
| Marketing | $42,200 | $42,200 | $24,288 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $39,500 | $39,500 | $22,591 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,700 | $38,700 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $38,200 | $38,200 | $20,480 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $16,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,700 | $35,700 | $21,011 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,500 | $34,500 | $22,375 |
| Social Work | $33,900 | $33,900 | $21,746 |
| Graphic Communications | $31,800 | $31,800 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $20,875 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,400 | $29,400 | $20,375 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $21,531 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,700 | $26,700 | $22,306 |
| Psychology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $20,791 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pittsburg, KS
- Student Body
- 4,210 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,784
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,579
- Median Student Debt
- $18,969