Ursinus College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley: which has better ROI?
Ursinus College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $122,144 in 4.8 years versus 4.8 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, on median earnings of $73,721 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ursinus College | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,536 | $18,220 |
| Total net cost | $122,144 | $72,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,721 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $385,076 | $228,620 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ursinus College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, at $18,220 a year after aid versus $30,536 — a gap of $12,316 a year, or $49,264 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ursinus College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates earn more?
Ursinus College graduates report a median $73,721 ten years after entry, $10,286 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. 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, Ursinus College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ursinus College, 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?
73% of students finish at Ursinus College, against 18% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. 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.