At $15,775/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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) | $15,775 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $63,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,435/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 16.7% |
| 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 | $9,544/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,092/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,764/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,763/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,827/yr |
The Risk Factor
16.7% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre gives you a mixed financial picture: earnings and debt land in a reasonable zone, but the graduation rate is a serious problem. Ten years out, the median earnings clear $63,000, and median debt of $25,000 stays close to what you'd expect to pay off on that income. If you finish, the math works.
The catch is the 16.70% graduation rate. Most people who start here do not finish here. That number is the single biggest financial risk you face. You can borrow the full $25,000, leave without a degree, and still owe every dollar with none of the earnings that make repayment manageable. The 79.34% retention rate says most freshmen come back for a second year, so the gap between staying and graduating suggests students transfer out, likely to other Penn State campuses, but that path adds time and cost.
Net price rewards lower-income families sharply. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,000 a year. Above $110,000, that jumps past $21,000. The break points are steep between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers, where price climbs roughly $6,000. Budget for the tier you actually fall into, not the sticker average.
This school fits you if you plan to use it as an entry point into the broader Penn State system or you're confident you'll finish an associate or bachelor's here. The regional cost is low enough that the payoff is real for graduates. Look elsewhere if you need a school that reliably carries students to a diploma on its own campus, because the completion odds here are working against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre worth the cost?
With a 10-year median salary of $63,435 and net costs around $15,775 annually, the financial return is reasonable but heavily dependent on completing your degree. The 16.7% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making this a high-risk investment for many.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre and why does it matter?
Only 16.7% of students graduate from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, one of the lowest rates among Penn State campuses. Students who don't graduate often carry debt without the degree needed to access higher-paying jobs, making the cost-benefit calculation much worse.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable given the $63,435 median earnings after 10 years. However, this only applies to the small percentage who actually graduate.
What programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre offer the best return on investment?
As a branch campus offering mainly first and second-year courses, Penn State Wilkes-Barre functions primarily as a stepping stone to other Penn State locations for degree completion. The ROI depends largely on successfully transferring and finishing a degree elsewhere in the system.