At $21,228/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill 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) | $21,228 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.7% |
| 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 | $13,752/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,885/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,182/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,192/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,569/yr |
The Risk Factor
20.7% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill posts a mixed financial picture, and the weak spot is the 20.70% graduation rate. That number is the biggest risk here. You can borrow, pay net price for a year or two, and leave without a degree, which is the worst financial outcome available. Four in five students come back after year one, so the fall-off happens later, but fewer than one in five finish. Weigh that before you enroll.
If you do graduate, the payoff holds up. Median earnings ten years out land above $63,000, and median debt sits at $25,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy for a public school, and $25,000 is manageable on that salary. The catch is that this return only reaches you if you're in the 20% who cross the finish line.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $13,750 a year. over $110,000, you pay roughly $26,500. The jump between the $48-75k tier and the $75-110k tier is the steepest, nearly $7,000 a year. If your family sits near that line, run the actual net price before committing, because a modest income bump costs you real money here.
This school fits you if you're confident you'll finish and you land in a lower income tier where net price stays near $14,000. The earnings and debt numbers reward completers. If you're unsure about finishing, or your family income puts you in the top tiers paying full freight, the low graduation rate makes this a gamble. Look at transfer paths or a school with stronger completion rates before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill worth the cost?
With a 20.7% graduation rate and median debt of $25,000, Penn State Schuylkill presents significant value concerns for most students. The school's completion rate is well below national averages, meaning many students leave with debt but no degree.
What is the return on investment for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill?
Graduates earn a median of $63,435 after 10 years, which is reasonable for the region but comes with high risk given the low graduation rate. Students who complete their degree typically see decent returns, but most students don't finish.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill students graduate with?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable if you graduate and find steady employment. However, with only 1 in 5 students completing their degree, many leave with debt and no credential to show for it.
What programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill have the best job prospects?
As a Penn State campus, business and engineering technology programs typically offer the strongest career outcomes. Students should focus on programs that transfer easily to main campus or lead directly to employment in the local market.