Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$63,776
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,620/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
547%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition cost at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is $15,944. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $54,468. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $55,620, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $63,435. The median student debt is $25,000, and 43.3% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings. Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.46. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, cannot be accurately calculated with the provided data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$15,944
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,620
Graduation Rate
27%
Receive Financial Aid
43%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Peer Comparison
547%
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.