Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$80,936
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,620/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
410%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition cost at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $20,234. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $54,468. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $55,620, and ten years after graduation, the median salary is $63,435. The median debt for graduates is $25,000, and 39.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation salary, is approximately 0.46. This indicates that the median debt is about 46% of the first-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, is less than one year. This is determined by dividing the tuition cost by the one-year post-graduation salary.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$20,234
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,620
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
40%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Peer Comparison
410%
20yr ROI
617%
20yr ROI
636%
20yr ROI
623%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.