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La Salle University vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Philadelphia PA · vs · Public, McKeesport PA

The verdict

La Salle University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,636 in 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $67,416 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLa Salle UniversityPennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny
Net price / yr$19,409$15,521
Total net cost$77,636$62,084
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,416$63,435
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback4.1 yrs4.1 yrs
20-year net return$303,484$239,416

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

Which is cheaper, La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, at $15,521 a year after aid versus $19,409 — a gap of $3,888 a year, or $15,552 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates earn more?

La Salle University graduates report a median $67,416 ten years after entry, $3,981 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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, La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?

Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, 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?

57% of students finish at La Salle University, against 19% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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.

La Salle University vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: frequently asked questions

Is La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny a better value?
La Salle University. It clears its $77,636 net cost in about 4.1 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $67,416 vs $63,435 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: $15,521/yr net price after aid versus $19,409/yr at La Salle University — a difference of $3,888 a year, or about $15,552 over four years.
Do La Salle University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates earn more?
La Salle University graduates earn a median $67,416 ten years after entry, versus $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny — a $3,981 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.