Pennsylvania State University-World Campus vs Franklin and Marshall College: which has better ROI?
Franklin and Marshall College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $145,700 in 5.2 years versus 5.2 years at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus, on median earnings of $76,124 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | Franklin and Marshall College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,550 | $36,425 |
| Total net cost | $78,200 | $145,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $76,124 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $223,300 | $409,580 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-World Campus or Franklin and Marshall College?
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus, at $19,550 a year after aid versus $36,425 — a gap of $16,875 a year, or $67,500 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-World Campus or Franklin and Marshall College graduates earn more?
Franklin and Marshall College graduates report a median $76,124 ten years after entry, $12,689 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus. 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-World Campus or Franklin and Marshall College?
Franklin and Marshall College: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus, a difference of $6,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Franklin and Marshall College, against 34% at Pennsylvania State University-World Campus. 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.