Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington vs Bryn Mawr College: which has better ROI?
Bryn Mawr College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,036 in 4.7 years versus 4.8 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington, on median earnings of $75,217 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | Bryn Mawr College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,071 | $31,759 |
| Total net cost | $72,284 | $127,036 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $75,217 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $229,216 | $410,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington or Bryn Mawr College?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington, at $18,071 a year after aid versus $31,759 — a gap of $13,688 a year, or $54,752 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-Penn State Abington or Bryn Mawr College graduates earn more?
Bryn Mawr College graduates report a median $75,217 ten years after entry, $11,782 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington. 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-Penn State Abington or Bryn Mawr College?
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?
82% of students finish at Bryn Mawr College, against 20% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington. 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.