Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania vs Lycoming College: which has better ROI?

Public, East Stroudsburg PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Williamsport PA

The verdict

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,536 in 9.3 years versus 9.8 years at Lycoming College, on median earnings of $56,148 vs $56,210 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureEast Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaLycoming College
Net price / yr$18,134$19,140
Total net cost$72,536$76,560
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,148$56,210
Median debt$24,218$27,000
Payback9.3 yrs9.8 yrs
20-year net return$83,224$80,440

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College?

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, at $18,134 a year after aid versus $19,140 — a gap of $1,006 a year, or $4,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College graduates earn more?

Lycoming College graduates report a median $56,210 ten years after entry, $62 more than the $56,148 at East Stroudsburg 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, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College?

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $24,218 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Lycoming College, a difference of $2,782. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at Lycoming College, against 43% at East Stroudsburg 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.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania vs Lycoming College: frequently asked questions

Is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College a better value?
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. It clears its $72,536 net cost in about 9.3 years versus 9.8 years at Lycoming College, on median earnings of $56,148 vs $56,210 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College?
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: $18,134/yr net price after aid versus $19,140/yr at Lycoming College — a difference of $1,006 a year, or about $4,024 over four years.
Do East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College graduates earn more?
Lycoming College graduates earn a median $56,210 ten years after entry, versus $56,148 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania — a $62 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.