Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College vs Allegheny College: which has better ROI?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,232 in 6.5 years versus 6.7 years at Allegheny College, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $62,069 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Allegheny College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,558 | $22,940 |
| Total net cost | $98,232 | $91,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $62,069 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $203,268 | $182,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College or Allegheny College?
Allegheny College, at $22,940 a year after aid versus $24,558 — a gap of $1,618 a year, or $6,472 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 Erie-Behrend College or Allegheny College graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $1,366 more than the $62,069 at Allegheny 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 Erie-Behrend College or Allegheny College?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Allegheny 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?
73% of students finish at Allegheny College, against 44% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. 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.