Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$57,032
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,620/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
623%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Penn State Wilkes-Barre is $14,258. 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 55.9% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $25,000 and the one-year post-graduation salary of $54,468, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.46. The data does not provide enough information to calculate a precise break-even timeline. However, the difference between the one-year post-graduation salary and the tuition cost is $40,210.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,258
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,620
Graduation Rate
19%
Receive Financial Aid
56%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Peer Comparison
623%
20yr ROI
617%
20yr ROI
636%
20yr ROI
579%
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.