Given neither the PPL nor CPL syllabus contain any manoeuvre even faintly aerobatic, the tenuous aerobatic capability of the C152 is rather irrelevant.
For somebody first learning to fly then, which is an expensive occupation, by any standard, the first and most important consideration is price. The C152 will always be cheaper than the PA28, so that ticks that box.
Is the C152 any good as a training aeroplane? Yes, it is absolutely superb, well laid out, easy to fly, but requiring and teaching good habits and practices.
Is there anything wrong with the C152?
- Well to an experienced pilot, it's very boring. That does not apply to anybody new, or frankly anybody with under 300 hours, so who cares. [The Ford Escort is a very boring car as well, but excellent to learn to drive in.]
- It's a bit cramped - but unless you have a rugby players shoulders, or are well over 6ft, or are seriously overweight, it should be fine. There's an easy way to find out - go for a half hour trial flight in one.
So, given a choice of the two, I'd pick the C152 for initial flying courses, for most people.
As others have said, there's a healthy debate between the C152 and PA38, if the latter is available (plenty of threads on that, and no need to start a new one). You'll find as many people on either side of the argument. Ultimately, both are damned good training aeroplanes, but if only one is available - take that one!
G