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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Sharon, PA · 256 students

The verdict

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango charges a net price of $18,095/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $72,380. Graduates earn a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $15,075/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $229,120, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango's 4.8-year payback ranks #399 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #33 of 169 in Pennsylvania.

Better ROI than 69% of US colleges#399 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$18,095
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$63,435
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
92%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$18,095/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$72,380our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$63,435Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$15,075/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$229,120our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango's own numbers. Net price $18,095 × 4 years = $72,380 total. Median earnings $63,435 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,075 a year of premium. $72,380 ÷ $15,075 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $229,120. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango students graduate with?

A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $63,435 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango students graduate?

42% finish their degree — 58% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $72,380 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $172,333 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?

Its $18,095 net price runs $3,646 below the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, and $14,584 less across the full degree.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango: frequently asked questions

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango charges $18,095/yr after aid ($72,380 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $63,435 ten years out — $15,075/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.8 years and returns $229,120 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango degree take to pay off?
About 4.8 years. We divide the $72,380 four-year net cost by the $15,075/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $18,095/yr — about $72,380 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango compare to other Pennsylvania colleges?
It ranks #33 of 169 Pennsylvania colleges we track by payback. Its $63,435 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $18,095 net price is above the national median of $16,902.