Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs York College of Pennsylvania: which has better ROI?
York College of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,224 in 5.9 years versus 6.2 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, on median earnings of $61,012 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | York College of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,330 | $18,556 |
| Total net cost | $93,320 | $74,224 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $61,012 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 5.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $208,180 | $178,816 |
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 York College of Pennsylvania?
York College of Pennsylvania, at $18,556 a year after aid versus $23,330 — a gap of $4,774 a year, or $19,096 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 York College of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $2,423 more than the $61,012 at York College of Pennsylvania. 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 Harrisburg or York College of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at York College of Pennsylvania, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at York College of Pennsylvania, against 26% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. 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.