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Affordable Alternatives to Pratt Institute-Main

Open-data reference.

We found 4 schools structurally similar to Pratt Institute-Main that cost less. 4 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Pratt Institute-Main

Brooklyn, New York · Private Nonprofit

$52,659
Net Price
$54,295
Median Earnings (10yr)
73.3%
Acceptance Rate
73.1%
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Pratt Institute-Main

Pratt Institute-Main posts an average net price of $52,659 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Pratt Institute-Main across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 4 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $17,999, achieved by Kettering University at $34,660. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 4 of the 4 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Pratt Institute-Main’s $54,295, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $103,860.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

4
Alternatives Found
$17,999
Max Savings
4
Better Value Options
42%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 4 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Top 4 1. Rose-Hulman Institute of Tec $101k 2. Kettering University $95k 3. MCPHS University $126k 4. Bucknell University $94k Compared to Pratt Institute-Main: $54k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$42,513 -$10,146 $101,253 80.0% 42%
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,660 -$17,999 $94,823 70.7% 42%
MCPHS University
Boston, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$39,545 -$13,114 $125,557 62.7% 40%
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$40,766 -$11,893 $93,807 86.3% 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Pratt Institute-Main are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Pratt Institute-Main?
We found 4 schools similar to Pratt Institute-Main that cost less. The closest match is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with 42% similarity and a net price of $42,513.
What is the ROI of attending Pratt Institute-Main?
Pratt Institute-Main has an average net price of $52,659. Graduates earn a median of $54,295 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 1.0x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Pratt Institute-Main for less money?
Yes — 4 of 4 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology costs $42,513 (saving $10,146) with median earnings of $101,253.
What is the cheapest alternative to Pratt Institute-Main?
The most affordable similar school is Kettering University at $34,660, saving $17,999 compared to Pratt Institute-Main. It has a 42% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 4 alternatives have an average median earnings of $103,860 compared to Pratt Institute-Main's $54,295. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.