At $21,461/yr net price, Keystone College graduates earn $44,976/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,976/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,461 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,844 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,976/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,976/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,257/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,196/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,731/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,623/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,181/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,013 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $37,424 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $34,793 | $26,050 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,216 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $32,711 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $24,532 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $22,912 | $24,000 |
| Education, Other. | Bachelor | $22,710 |
The Risk Factor
41.2% of students at Keystone College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Keystone College gives you a weak financial return. You pay over $21,000 a year net, borrow around $26,000 by graduation, and land at median earnings that barely clear $44,000 a decade later. The bigger problem is finishing at all: fewer than half of you graduate, and only about six in ten come back for a second year. If you leave with debt and no degree, the math turns against you fast.
Among the programs listed, accounting is the strongest bet, and it still tops out under $43,000 while carrying the same debt load as everything else. Special education and computer science land in the high $30,000s. Business administration and criminal justice sit lowest, in the low-to-mid $30,000s, with debt right at the school-wide $26,000 mark. None of these fields pull ahead enough to make the borrowing feel comfortable, and the criminal justice and corrections track in particular gives you the least earnings for the same price.
The specific risk here is the gap between what you borrow and what you earn. Northeastern Pennsylvania's job market around La Plume does not push these salaries up, so the debt stays fixed while the payoff stays modest. Add the low graduation and retention rates, and the chance you pay without finishing is real.
The net price tiers tell a strange story: families under $48,000 pay slightly less than middle-income families in the $48,000-$75,000 range, and if your household earns over $110,000 you jump to about $30,000 a year. Aid barely bends for lower incomes here, so no group gets a strong discount.
Keystone fits you if you commit to accounting or teaching and are confident you will graduate. If you are unsure, or drawn to criminal justice, look for a cheaper option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keystone College worth the cost?
Keystone College graduates earn $44,976 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $21,461 per year and median debt of $26,000, the financial return is modest compared to other four-year institutions.
What are the best paying majors at Keystone College?
Accounting offers the highest return at $42,682 annually, followed by Special Education at $38,289. Business and Criminal Justice programs produce lower earnings in the $33,000-35,000 range, which may not justify the debt load for many students.
How much debt do Keystone College students graduate with?
The median debt is $26,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with a 41% graduation rate, many students take on debt without completing their degree, making this a significant financial risk.
Does Keystone College have good financial aid?
The net price of $21,461 suggests decent financial aid for a private college. Students should compare this carefully to in-state public options, which often provide better value for similar career outcomes.