At $19,524/yr net price, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $53,032/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,032/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,524 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $78,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,032/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,032/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.9% |
| 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 | $12,762/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,805/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,007/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,001/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,422/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $67,660 | $76,814 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $14,578 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $60,213 | $24,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,124 | $20,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $52,289 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $46,673 | $18,393 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,217 | $23,172 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $45,145 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics. | Master | $44,021 |
The Risk Factor
65.9% of students at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Slippery Rock gives you a solid, middle-of-the-road financial return. You pay $19,524 a year and carry $25,000 in median debt at graduation, while earning about $53,032 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and a 66% graduation rate with 81% retention means most people who start here finish and land on their feet.
Your major decides a lot here. Nursing is the clear winner: graduates earn nearly $64,000 while borrowing only about $14,600, the lowest debt on the list. Quality Control and Safety Technologies pays similarly well at $60,213, though you borrow more to get there. Computer and Information Sciences clears $52,000. Accounting sits at the bottom of the top programs at $42,123 against $21,250 in debt, which barely beats the debt you take on. If you enroll here for accounting or information science, run the numbers hard before you commit.
The main risk is picking a low-earning major and still borrowing the full amount. Debt is roughly flat across programs, but earnings swing by more than $20,000. Choose poorly and you carry nursing-level debt on accounting-level pay.
Net price scales steeply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $12,762. over $110,000, you pay $23,422. That $10,000 gap means lower-income families get real relief, while upper-middle families pay close to sticker.
This school fits you if you want nursing or a technical field and prefer a public-college price tag. If you're aiming for accounting or general information studies, the payoff here is thin, and you'd want to weigh cheaper options or a higher-earning major before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania worth the cost?
With average earnings of $53,000 ten years after graduation and a net price of $19,524 annually, Slippery Rock offers moderate value that depends heavily on your major. The school's rehabilitation therapy and nursing programs show strong earning potential, while other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions lead at $67,660 annually, followed by nursing at $63,749. These health-focused programs offer the clearest path to strong returns on your investment at Slippery Rock.
How much debt do Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $25,000 in debt, which is manageable given the average starting salaries for top programs. However, students in lower-paying majors like criminal justice may find this debt burden challenging with average earnings around $52,000.
What is the graduation rate at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania?
Only 66% of students graduate, which is below the national average and raises concerns about academic support and student success. This lower completion rate adds risk to your investment, especially if you don't finish your degree.