At $24,449/yr net price, Lackawanna College graduates earn $41,000/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,000/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,449 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $97,796 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,000/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,000/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,075 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,309/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,546/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,822/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,336/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,586/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $54,996 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $43,426 | $4,865 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $42,123 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,208 | $19,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $24,808 | $18,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $17,437 | $24,000 |
The Risk Factor
37.7% of students at Lackawanna College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Lackawanna College gives you a weak financial return. You pay about $24,449 a year and earn $41,000 a decade after enrolling. That gap is the core problem: four years of net cost runs close to what you make in a single year on the job, and the earnings figure sits below what many workers with no degree earn in the Scranton region.
The graduation rate is the biggest risk here. Fewer than four in ten of you finish, which means most who enroll pay tuition without walking away with the credential that was supposed to justify it. Retention looks perfect at 100%, so the drop-off happens later in the program, not in the first year. You take on debt either way, and leaving without a degree is the worst financial outcome the numbers point to.
Median debt of about $18,000 is modest and manageable on its own. The trouble is matching that debt and four years of net price against $41,000 earnings. That math works only if you finish and land in a field that pays. No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major's payoff as unproven until you see its own outcome data.
The net price tiers barely move across incomes. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $23,300. if you earn over $110k, you pay about $27,600. Lower-income families get almost no discount, so the cost lands hard regardless of your situation. With 58% of you on Pell Grants, most of you come from families for whom $23,000 a year is a real strain.
This school fits you if you have a clear, direct path to a job in northeast Pennsylvania and high confidence you'll graduate. If you're unsure you'll finish, the money argues for a cheaper local option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lackawanna College worth the cost?
Lackawanna College's ROI is weak, with graduates earning $41,000 annually after paying $24,449 per year. The low 38% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
What are the best paying programs at Lackawanna College?
Mining and Petroleum Technologies graduates earn the highest salaries at $55,000 annually. Criminal Justice and Allied Health programs typically pay $37,000-43,000, which barely justifies the cost.
How much debt do Lackawanna College graduates have?
The median debt is $18,075, which is manageable compared to the annual cost. However, with earnings of only $41,000, loan payments will still strain most graduates' budgets.
Does Lackawanna College have good job placement rates?
While specific placement data isn't available, the 38% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. This raises concerns about the school's ability to prepare students for careers.