University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at a Glance
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown is a state-related college in Richland Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, near the city of Johnstown. A baccalaureate degree-granting, regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh, UPJ was founded in 1927 as one of the first regional campuses of a major university in the United States.
1927
99 years old
$37M
$ 37.1 million
2,462
149
655 acres
Identity
Is University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Worth It?
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown offers moderate value at $18,202/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $66,125, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #17 of 36 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | 95 | $10,875 | $73,997 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #17 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | 50 | $18,202 | $66,125 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in PA.
Best Programs at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
The highest-earning program at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown is Computer Science at $63,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown earns $63,100, while a History graduate earns $25,200. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,295 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,202/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $63,100 | $63,100 | $27,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $56,400 | $56,400 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $55,600 | $55,600 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $53,200 | $53,200 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,800 | $52,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,800 | $49,800 | $26,851 |
| Marketing | $42,900 | $42,900 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $41,900 | $41,900 | $24,875 |
| Chemistry | $35,600 | $35,600 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,800 | $34,800 | $26,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,281 |
| Mathematics | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,000 | $32,000 | $24,500 |
| Literature | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,995 |
| Biology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,200 | $25,200 | $27,000 |
| History | $25,200 | $25,200 | $26,295 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Johnstown, PA
- Student Body
- 1,808 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,202
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,125
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250