Community College of Philadelphia vs University of Pennsylvania
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -107% | +468% |
| 10-year net gain | $-29,719 | $564,577 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $44,802 | $113,510 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $33,461 | $83,208 |
| Average net price | $11,911 | $28,699 |
| Median debt | $10,750 | $15,715 |
| Break-even | — | 1.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 97% |
| Admission rate | — | 5% |
Community College of Philadelphia
Poor return
$-29,719 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of Pennsylvania
Strong return
+$564,577 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.