At $14,259/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango 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) | $14,259 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $57,036 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.0% |
| 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 | $9,852/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,180/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,350/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,671/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,875/yr |
The Risk Factor
23.0% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango gives you a mixed financial picture with one serious warning sign. Ten years out, median earnings land at $63,435, and median debt sits at $25,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy: you would owe less than half a year's pay, which most graduates can manage without strain. The problem is not what happens after you finish. It is whether you finish at all.
The 23% graduation rate is the number that should stop you. Fewer than one in four students who start here complete a degree. The 52% retention rate says half of first-year students do not return for year two. If you drop out with loans and no credential, you carry the debt without the earnings that justify it. That risk is specific to this campus and it is large.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat the $63,435 median as a whole-school figure, not a promise tied to any major. Pick a field with clear local demand in the Sharon area before you commit, and confirm the program graduates people at a better rate than the campus average.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $9,852 a year. over $110,000, you pay $21,875. That is more than double for the top tier. For lower-income families, the price is defensible if you graduate.
This school fits you if you are certain you will finish, want to stay near the Shenango Valley, and qualify for the lower price tiers. Look elsewhere if you are unsure about completing a degree, because the completion odds here turn a manageable investment into a costly gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango worth the cost?
Penn State Shenango has mixed value with a low net price of $14,259 but concerning outcomes. The 23% graduation rate is extremely low, and median debt of $25,000 combined with $63,435 in 10-year earnings creates a challenging financial picture for many students.
What is the return on investment for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango?
The ROI is weak due to poor graduation rates despite reasonable earnings for graduates. With only 23% of students completing their degree, most students leave without credentials while still carrying debt.
Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango graduates get good jobs?
Graduates who complete their programs earn $63,435 after 10 years, which is decent for the region. However, the bigger concern is that 77% of students never graduate, making job prospects irrelevant for most who enroll.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango students typically have?
Students who borrow graduate with a median debt of $25,000. Given the low graduation rate, many students likely accumulate debt without earning a degree, making this a high-risk financial investment.