At $19,993/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto 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) | $19,993 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,972 |
| 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) | 25.1% |
| 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 | $11,518/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,653/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,051/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,185/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,342/yr |
The Risk Factor
25.1% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto 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 Mont Alto gives you a mixed financial picture. You pay about $20,000 a year net, borrow a median of $25,000, and earn $63,435 ten years after starting. That salary sits above what many public regional campuses produce, and your median debt stays close to one year's earnings, which is a manageable ratio if you finish.
Finishing is the problem. Only 25% of students graduate, so the bigger financial risk here is paying for two or three years, leaving without a degree, and still owing the loans. The $63,435 earnings figure belongs to students who completed. Drop out, and you carry debt without the credential that pays it back. The 75% retention rate tells you most students return after year one, so the gap between staying and graduating happens later in the timeline.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $11,500 a year. That climbs to roughly $23,000 in the $75-110k range and $26,342 above $110k. For lower-income families, the price is reasonable against the earnings payoff. For families above $110k, you pay more than the median debt figure every single year, so the math depends entirely on graduating on time.
This school fits you if you are cost-conscious, likely to qualify for the lower net-price tiers, and confident you will finish. If you have any doubt about completing a degree, the low graduation rate makes this a gamble, and you should compare it against schools where more students cross the finish line.
I've written the analysis from the available data. Note that no program-level salary data was provided in the context, so I could not compare specific majors as the prompt suggested. If you have that data, share it and I'll revise to cover which majors pay off.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto worth the cost compared to other Penn State campuses?
Penn State Mont Alto costs about $20,000 per year but graduates earn $63,435 after 10 years, which is lower than main campus graduates. The 25% graduation rate is concerning and significantly impacts the return on investment for most students.
What is the job market like for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto graduates?
Graduates typically earn around $63,400 ten years after enrollment, which is decent but not exceptional for a four-year degree. However, with only 1 in 4 students actually graduating, most students don't reach this earning potential.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto students graduate with?
Students who complete their degree typically have $25,000 in debt, which is manageable given the $63,400 average earnings. The bigger financial risk is not graduating at all, which happens to 75% of students who start here.
Should I choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto or go to community college first?
Given the low graduation rate at Penn State Mont Alto, starting at community college and transferring might be smarter financially. You'll pay less for general education courses and can transfer to a campus with better completion rates.