Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Cedar Crest College: which has better ROI?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,424 in 6.5 years versus 6.7 years at Cedar Crest College, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $59,460 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Cedar Crest College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,356 | $18,659 |
| Total net cost | $97,424 | $74,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $59,460 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $204,076 | $147,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Cedar Crest College?
Cedar Crest College, at $18,659 a year after aid versus $24,356 — a gap of $5,697 a year, or $22,788 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 Berks or Cedar Crest College graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $3,975 more than the $59,460 at Cedar Crest College. 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 Berks or Cedar Crest College?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Cedar Crest College, a difference of $2,000. 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 Cedar Crest College, against 32% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. 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.