Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver: which has better ROI?
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $28,208 in 4.5 years versus 4.6 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver, on median earnings of $54,681 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,104 | $17,418 |
| Total net cost | $28,208 | $69,672 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,681 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $9,990 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $98,212 | $231,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver?
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, at $14,104 a year after aid versus $17,418 — a gap of $3,314 a year, or $41,464 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $8,754 more than the $54,681 at Thaddeus Stevens College of 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, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver?
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology: its completers carry a median $9,990 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver, a difference of $15,010. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, against 22% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver. 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.