Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Westminster College: which has better ROI?
Westminster College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $79,436 in 14.4 years versus 15.5 years at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $53,861 vs $52,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Westminster College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,699 | $19,859 |
| Total net cost | $62,796 | $79,436 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,416 | $53,861 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $26,060 |
| Payback | 15.5 yrs | 14.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,324 | $30,584 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Westminster College?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, at $15,699 a year after aid versus $19,859 — a gap of $4,160 a year, or $16,640 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 Westminster College graduates earn more?
Westminster College graduates report a median $53,861 ten years after entry, $1,445 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 Westminster College?
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $26,060 at Westminster College, a difference of $60. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Westminster College, against 54% at Commonwealth 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.