Temple University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Temple University charges a net price of $28,198/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $112,792. Graduates earn a median $63,727 ten years after entry, $15,367/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.3 years — a 20-year net return of $194,548, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Temple University's 7.3-year payback ranks #646 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 50% of them, and #66 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $28,198/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $112,792 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $63,727 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,367/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,395 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $194,548 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Temple University's own numbers. Net price $28,198 × 4 years = $112,792 total. Median earnings $63,727 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,367 a year of premium. $112,792 ÷ $15,367 = 7.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $194,548. 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 Temple University students graduate with?
A median $24,395 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $63,727 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Temple University students graduate?
75% finish their degree. Spread the $112,792 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $150,389 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Temple University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $28,198 net price runs $6,457 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $25,828 more across the full degree.