LCCC vs. PIA

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA with Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in West Mifflin, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh Carbon Community College is larger than PIA based on total student enrollment (6,221 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh Carbon Community College is located in Schnecksville, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is in West Mifflin, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is a private, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh Carbon Community College 17:1; Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics 15:1.

LCCC vs. PIA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LCCC or PIA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lehigh Carbon Community College than PIA ($8,645 vs. $30,118).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics are 13.3% lower than at Lehigh Carbon Community College ($12,826 vs. $14,800).
• Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is 101.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than LCCC (about $9,430 more per year; $18,730.00 vs. $9,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at PIA than at Lehigh Carbon Community College (about $5,460 more per year; $18,730.00 vs. $13,270.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh Carbon Community College than at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (65% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Lehigh Carbon Community College students ($7,080 vs. $6,671).

LCCC vs. PIA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LCCC or PIA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PIA and LCCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LCCC - Open admission; PIA - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: LCCC Jul 7, 2027.

LCCC vs. PIA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LCCC and PIA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than LCCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $35,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates have a $3,730 lower median loan debt than PIA graduates ($10,768 vs. $14,498).
• Among borrowers, LCCC graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PIA graduates ($111 vs. $149).
• More PIA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LCCC students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.