Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Misericordia University: which has better ROI?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,500 in 8.7 years versus 9.4 years at Misericordia University, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $64,313 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | Misericordia University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,875 | $37,485 |
| Total net cost | $131,500 | $149,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $64,313 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,973 |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $170,000 | $169,120 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Misericordia University?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, at $32,875 a year after aid versus $37,485 — a gap of $4,610 a year, or $18,440 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Misericordia University graduates earn more?
Misericordia University graduates report a median $64,313 ten years after entry, $878 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. 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, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Misericordia University?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,973 at Misericordia University, a difference of $1,973. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, against 72% at Misericordia University. 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.