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Pennsylvania Western University vs Bryn Athyn College of the New Church: which has better ROI?

Public, California PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Bryn Athyn PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pennsylvania Western University comes closer — median earnings $47,295 against a $73,024 total, vs $40,457 at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePennsylvania Western UniversityBryn Athyn College of the New Church
Net price / yr$18,256$20,586
Total net cost$73,024$82,344
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,295$40,457
Median debt$23,725$22,250
Payback
20-year net return-$94,324-$240,404

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church?

Pennsylvania Western University, at $18,256 a year after aid versus $20,586 — a gap of $2,330 a year, or $9,320 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 Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church graduates earn more?

Pennsylvania Western University graduates report a median $47,295 ten years after entry, $6,838 more than the $40,457 at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church. 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 Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church?

Bryn Athyn College of the New Church: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $23,725 at Pennsylvania Western University, a difference of $1,475. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, against 52% at Pennsylvania Western University. 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.

Pennsylvania Western University vs Bryn Athyn College of the New Church: frequently asked questions

Is Pennsylvania Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church a better value?
Pennsylvania Western University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church?
Pennsylvania Western University: $18,256/yr net price after aid versus $20,586/yr at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church — a difference of $2,330 a year, or about $9,320 over four years.
Do Pennsylvania Western University or Bryn Athyn College of the New Church graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania Western University graduates earn a median $47,295 ten years after entry, versus $40,457 at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church — a $6,838 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.