Degree Dividend
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Plymouth State University vs Franklin Pierce University: which has better ROI?

Public, Plymouth NH · vs · Private nonprofit, Rindge NH

The verdict

Plymouth State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,864 in 8.6 years versus 21.8 years at Franklin Pierce University, on median earnings of $57,304 vs $53,353 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePlymouth State UniversityFranklin Pierce University
Net price / yr$19,216$27,154
Total net cost$76,864$108,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,304$53,353
Median debt$26,000$27,000
Payback8.6 yrs21.8 yrs
20-year net return$102,016-$8,756

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

Which is cheaper, Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University?

Plymouth State University, at $19,216 a year after aid versus $27,154 — a gap of $7,938 a year, or $31,752 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University graduates earn more?

Plymouth State University graduates report a median $57,304 ten years after entry, $3,951 more than the $53,353 at Franklin Pierce University. 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, Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University?

Plymouth State University: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Franklin Pierce University, 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?

54% of students finish at Franklin Pierce University, against 52% at Plymouth State 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.

Plymouth State University vs Franklin Pierce University: frequently asked questions

Is Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University a better value?
Plymouth State University. It clears its $76,864 net cost in about 8.6 years versus 21.8 years at Franklin Pierce University, on median earnings of $57,304 vs $53,353 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University?
Plymouth State University: $19,216/yr net price after aid versus $27,154/yr at Franklin Pierce University — a difference of $7,938 a year, or about $31,752 over four years.
Do Plymouth State University or Franklin Pierce University graduates earn more?
Plymouth State University graduates earn a median $57,304 ten years after entry, versus $53,353 at Franklin Pierce University — a $3,951 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.