At $18,934/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton 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) | $18,934 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,736 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.9% |
| 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 | $14,151/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,015/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,270/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,235/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,596/yr |
The Risk Factor
31.9% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton gives you a mixed financial picture: median debt of $25,000 lands just under the $25k mark, and median earnings a decade out clear $63,000, so you can pay that debt off without it crushing your budget. The problem is getting to graduation. Only about a third of students finish, and roughly a quarter don't return after their first year. Those odds are the biggest risk here, because if you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings that make it worthwhile.
The earnings number assumes you graduate. If you finish, the return works: debt below your first-year salary is a comfortable ratio, and the Dunmore location keeps you close to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre job market and within reach of Penn State's larger campus system if you transfer up. No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so treat that $63,000 as a school-wide median, not a promise for any specific major.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,000-$14,000 a year, several thousand less than the sticker net price. Above $75,000, your cost climbs past $21,000, and over $110,000 you pay close to $24,600. The aid clearly shifts toward families with the least to spend.
This school fits you if you're a disciplined student from a lower-income household who is confident you'll finish, ideally planning to work in northeastern Pennsylvania or transfer within Penn State. Look elsewhere if you're unsure about completing a degree, since the retention and graduation rates mean a real chance of paying for credits that never turn into a credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton worth the cost?
Penn State Scranton offers decent value with a net price of $18,934 and 10-year earnings of $63,435, but the 32% graduation rate creates real risk of leaving with debt and no degree.
What is the average debt for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton graduates?
Graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable given the $63,435 average earnings after 10 years. However, with only one in three students graduating, many may accumulate debt without finishing their degree.
Which programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton have the best job prospects?
As a Penn State branch campus, business and engineering programs typically offer the strongest career outcomes. The low graduation rate suggests students should carefully evaluate their commitment before enrolling in any program.
How does financial aid work at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
The net price of $18,934 indicates students receive meaningful financial aid, making this one of the more affordable Penn State options. Students should still budget carefully given the high dropout risk.