Thomas Jefferson University vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny: which has better ROI?
Thomas Jefferson University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,712 in 4 years versus 4.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, on median earnings of $77,449 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Thomas Jefferson University | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,928 | $15,521 |
| Total net cost | $115,712 | $62,084 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $77,449 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $14,744 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $466,068 | $239,416 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Thomas Jefferson University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, at $15,521 a year after aid versus $28,928 — a gap of $13,407 a year, or $53,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Thomas Jefferson University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates earn more?
Thomas Jefferson University graduates report a median $77,449 ten years after entry, $14,014 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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, Thomas Jefferson University or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny?
Thomas Jefferson University: its completers carry a median $14,744 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny, a difference of $10,256. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Thomas Jefferson University, against 19% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. 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.