Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona: which has better ROI?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,852 in 5.9 years versus 6.2 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,330 | $22,213 |
| Total net cost | $93,320 | $88,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 5.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $208,180 | $212,648 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, at $22,213 a year after aid versus $23,330 — a gap of $1,117 a year, or $4,468 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 Harrisburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates earn more?
Graduates of both report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.
Which leaves students with less debt, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
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?
26% of students finish at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, against 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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.