Drexel University vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre: which has better ROI?
Drexel University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,036 in 4.2 years versus 4.4 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre, on median earnings of $84,648 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Drexel University | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,509 | $16,448 |
| Total net cost | $154,036 | $65,792 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,648 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $25,325 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $571,724 | $235,708 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Drexel University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at $16,448 a year after aid versus $38,509 — a gap of $22,061 a year, or $88,244 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Drexel University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates earn more?
Drexel University graduates report a median $84,648 ten years after entry, $21,213 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre. 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, Drexel University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,325 at Drexel University, a difference of $325. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Drexel University, against 23% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre. 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.