Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Kutztown University of Pennsylvania: which has better ROI?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,796 in 15.5 years versus 15.8 years at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $52,416 vs $53,775 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,699 | $21,331 |
| Total net cost | $62,796 | $85,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,416 | $53,775 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 15.5 yrs | 15.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,324 | $22,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Kutztown University of Pennsylvania?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, at $15,699 a year after aid versus $21,331 — a gap of $5,632 a year, or $22,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Kutztown University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $53,775 ten years after entry, $1,359 more than the $52,416 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Kutztown University of Pennsylvania?
Completers at both borrow a median $26,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, against 54% at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.