University of Pennsylvania vs Haverford College: which has better ROI?
University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,796 in 1.8 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $79,966 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pennsylvania | Haverford College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,699 | $25,314 |
| Total net cost | $114,796 | $101,256 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $111,371 | $79,966 |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $13,621 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 3.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,145,424 | $530,864 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College?
Haverford College, at $25,314 a year after aid versus $28,699 — a gap of $3,385 a year, or $13,540 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $111,371 ten years after entry, $31,405 more than the $79,966 at Haverford College. 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, University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College?
Haverford College: its completers carry a median $13,621 in federal loans versus $15,715 at University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $2,094. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
97% of students finish at University of Pennsylvania, against 90% at Haverford College. 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.