Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 18.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 16.7%
- Retention Rate
- 79.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $63,435
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
Outcomes Overview
Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates face a challenging financial picture despite strong employment outcomes. The 95.7% employment rate demonstrates solid job placement, but the $25,000 median debt creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 39% against first-year earnings of $54,468. Monthly loan payments of $265 consume nearly 6% of gross income, well above the recommended 3-4%. Earnings do improve over time, reaching $72,964 by year five. The regional Penn State network opens doors in Pennsylvania's business and healthcare sectors. However, the combination of moderate starting salaries with substantial debt loads creates financial pressure for new graduates. This represents a weak return on investment for most students.