At $20,062/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton 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) | $20,062 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,248 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 17.9% |
| 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 | $15,278/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,247/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,473/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,273/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,468/yr |
The Risk Factor
17.9% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton 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 Hazleton hands you a mixed financial picture with one number that should stop you cold: a 17.90% graduation rate. That means most students who enroll here do not finish, and a degree you never complete is the worst outcome for your money. You still owe the debt without the earnings bump that pays it back.
If you do graduate, the payoff looks decent. Median earnings ten years out land above what many public regional campuses produce, and median debt sits at a manageable level against those earnings. The Penn State name on the diploma carries weight across Pennsylvania's job market, which helps if you plan to work locally after finishing.
The core risk here is completion, not cost. A 72.39% retention rate tells you more than a quarter of students leave after year one. Before you enroll, be honest about whether you will be in the group that stays through graduation, because the earnings figures only apply to those who do.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your family earns under $30k, you pay roughly $11,000 less per year than a family over $110k. That gap makes Hazleton a reasonable bet if you qualify for the lower tiers and you are confident you will finish. If your family sits in the top bracket paying full freight, the low graduation rate makes the cost harder to justify.
Hazleton fits you if you want a Penn State credential close to home, qualify for the lower price tiers, and have a concrete plan to graduate. Look elsewhere if you are uncertain about staying enrolled or if you are paying the top-tier price without a strong reason to expect you will be among the minority who cross the finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton worth the cost?
With a 10-year median salary of $63,435 and net costs around $20,000 annually, Penn State Hazleton offers decent earnings potential relative to cost. However, the extremely low 18% graduation rate means many students pay tuition without earning a degree, making this a risky investment for students who might struggle to finish.
What is the return on investment for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton graduates?
Graduates earn about $63,435 ten years after enrollment with typical debt of $25,000, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio for those who complete their programs. The key risk is the 18% graduation rate, which means most students never see this return.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton students typically have?
The median debt is $25,000, which is reasonable given graduate earnings of around $63,400. Students should focus heavily on academic support and degree completion since 82% of students don't graduate, leaving them with debt but no degree.
Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton provide good financial aid?
With a net price of about $20,000 annually, the school offers moderate affordability for a Penn State campus. The real financial risk comes from the low graduation rate rather than high costs.