At $29,219/yr net price, Temple University graduates earn $63,727/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,727/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,219 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $116,876 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,727/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,727/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,395 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,080/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,278/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,493/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,578/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,632/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $118,584 | $136,167 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $109,763 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $102,409 | $45,067 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $101,792 | $296,851 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Master | $93,520 | $37,499 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $74,641 | $130,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $74,307 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $71,575 | |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master | $70,456 | $49,688 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,100 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
74.7% of students at Temple University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Temple gives you a solid financial return with manageable risk. Median debt sits below the earnings you can expect ten years out, and a 74.7% graduation rate means most of you finish and start paying that debt down with a real paycheck behind you.
The strongest payoffs are in nursing and business analytics, where earnings top $69,000 while debt stays close to the school median. Nursing is the clearest win in Philadelphia, a city thick with hospital systems that hire local graduates. Engineering and computer science land in the high $60,000s and carry debt near $25,000-$26,500, so the math still works. Mechanical engineering is the weakest of the top programs at $61,119, but that debt load is nearly identical to the higher earners, so you get less return for the same borrowing.
The main risk is the price gradient by income. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay roughly $11,500 more per year than a family under $30,000. At the top tier, four years runs close to $138,000 before aid, and Temple's payoff depends heavily on picking a program that pays. A humanities or general major here, without the nursing or engineering earnings, leaves you carrying similar debt against a smaller salary.
Temple fits you if you enroll in nursing, business analytics, engineering, or computer science and plan to work in the Philadelphia region. The lower-income net price tiers make it affordable if you qualify, and the strong retention rate means you're likely to stay and finish. Look elsewhere if your family is in the top income bracket and you're undecided on major, because the full price only pays off when paired with one of the high-earning programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Temple University worth the cost?
Temple University offers mixed value depending on your major. Healthcare and business programs show strong returns with graduates earning $90,000-$118,000, but many other programs struggle to justify the $29,000 annual cost given the median salary of $64,000 ten years after graduation.
What Temple University programs have the best ROI?
Pharmacy leads Temple's ROI with graduates earning $118,584, followed by nursing at $109,763 and business administration at $102,409. These programs can justify the investment, while liberal arts and education majors face tougher financial outcomes.
How much debt do Temple University students graduate with?
Temple students graduate with a median debt of $24,395, which is manageable for high-earning majors like pharmacy and nursing. However, students in lower-paying fields may struggle with loan payments relative to their starting salaries.
Does Temple University provide good financial aid?
Temple's net price of $29,219 reflects moderate financial aid for a public research university. The 75% graduation rate suggests most students can complete their programs, but aid packages vary significantly by family income and academic merit.