Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania vs Harrisburg University of Science and Technology: which has better ROI?
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,504 in 15.3 years versus 16.8 years at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $52,374 vs $53,032 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,608 | $15,376 |
| Total net cost | $78,432 | $61,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,032 | $52,374 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 16.8 yrs | 15.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $15,008 | $18,776 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, at $15,376 a year after aid versus $19,608 — a gap of $4,232 a year, or $16,928 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates earn more?
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $53,032 ten years after entry, $658 more than the $52,374 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. 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, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, against 34% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. 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.