At $24,581/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks graduates earn $63,435/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,435/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,581 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,324 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,721/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,801/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,924/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,326/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,196/yr |
The Risk Factor
24.4% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks 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
Penn State Berks gives you a mixed financial picture with one serious warning sign. The $63,435 median earnings ten years out land above what many regional public campuses produce, and median debt of $25,000 stays close to a single year's net price. That balance normally points to a payoff you can manage. The problem sits in the graduation rate.
A 24.40% graduation rate is the number that should stop you. Three out of four students who start here do not finish on the tracked timeline, and the debt does not disappear when the degree does. If you borrow $25,000 and leave without a bachelor's, you carry loan payments with only high-school-level earning power to cover them. The strong median salary applies to people who graduate, and most do not. The 77.48% retention rate shows the drop-off starts after the first year, so the risk builds over time, not on day one.
Net price is the other pressure point. Families earning under $30,000 pay $16,721 a year, which still means real borrowing across four years. If your household clears $110,000, you pay closer to $30,000 annually, and the return only works if you finish and land in a solid-paying field.
This campus fits you if you are confident you will graduate and you have a concrete plan to stay enrolled through year two, when most departures happen. If money is tight and finishing feels uncertain, the combination of $24,581 yearly cost and a one-in-four completion rate makes this a gamble. Look at campuses with higher graduation rates before you commit, since the salary upside here only pays off with a diploma in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks worth the cost?
Penn State Berks has mixed value with median earnings of $63,435 after 10 years but a concerning 24% graduation rate. The $25,000 median debt is manageable, but only if you actually graduate.
What is the return on investment for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
With a net price of $24,581 annually and 10-year earnings of $63,435, the financial return is modest. The extremely low graduation rate of 24% makes this a high-risk investment for many students.
Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks have good job outcomes?
Graduate earnings of $63,435 after 10 years are reasonable for Pennsylvania, but three-quarters of students don't graduate. Job outcomes depend heavily on completing your degree and choosing the right program.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks graduates have?
The median debt of $25,000 is below the national average and manageable given typical graduate earnings. However, students who don't graduate still carry debt without the degree benefit.