Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs UPMC Mercy School of Nursing: 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 6.6 years at UPMC Mercy School of Nursing, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $68,337 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | UPMC Mercy School of Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,356 | $33,159 |
| Total net cost | $97,424 | $132,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $68,337 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $14,750 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 6.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $204,076 | $266,904 |
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 UPMC Mercy School of Nursing?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, at $24,356 a year after aid versus $33,159 — a gap of $8,803 a year, or $35,212 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 UPMC Mercy School of Nursing graduates earn more?
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing graduates report a median $68,337 ten years after entry, $4,902 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. 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 UPMC Mercy School of Nursing?
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing: its completers carry a median $14,750 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, a difference of $10,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at UPMC Mercy School of Nursing, 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.