At $18,922/yr net price, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York 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) | $18,922 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,688 |
| 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) | 11.4% |
| 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 | $11,304/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,138/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,735/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,962/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,237/yr |
The Risk Factor
11.4% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York 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 York gives you a mixed financial picture with one glaring problem: an 11.40% graduation rate. That number should stop you cold. Even though median earnings ten years out reach $63,435 and median debt sits at a manageable $25,000, those outcomes only apply if you actually finish. The gap between the 77.42% retention rate and the graduation rate means many of you come back for a second year but never walk away with a degree from here.
The debt-to-earnings math works if you graduate. Borrowing $25,000 against $63,435 in earnings is a reasonable ratio, and the debt load stays below one year of typical pay. That is the strong part of the story.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so there is no way to tell you which majors at Penn State York pay off and which sink. Pick your major based on other schools' data and your own research, not on anything this campus has published.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $11,304 a year. over $110,000, you pay $24,237. That $13,000 spread means the sticker price bends hard toward need. For a family under $48,000, this is one of the cheaper four-year options in the region.
The specific risk here is not cost or debt. It is the odds of leaving with nothing but loans and no credential. If you know you will transfer into the main Penn State system or you are confident you will finish, the price is fair. If you are unsure whether you will stick with college, the graduation rate makes this a gamble, and you should look at schools where more students actually cross the finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York worth the cost?
Penn State York has mixed value with a low graduation rate of 11% despite reasonable costs around $19,000 annually. The 10-year earnings average of $63,435 is solid, but the extremely low completion rate means most students may not finish their degree.
What is the job market like for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York graduates?
Graduates who complete their degree at Penn State York earn about $63,435 after 10 years, which is decent for a regional campus. However, with only 11% of students graduating, most enrollees don't reach this earning potential.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York students typically have?
Students at Penn State York graduate with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. The bigger concern is the 89% of students who don't graduate but may still accumulate debt.
Should I choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York over other schools?
Penn State York makes sense mainly as a lower-cost option to start college or for students planning to transfer to the main campus. The 11% graduation rate suggests most students either transfer or drop out, making it risky as a four-year plan.