Washington & Jefferson College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York: which has better ROI?
Washington & Jefferson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,008 in 5.1 years versus 5.1 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York, on median earnings of $67,918 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington & Jefferson College | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,002 | $19,047 |
| Total net cost | $100,008 | $76,188 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,918 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.1 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $291,152 | $225,312 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington & Jefferson College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York, at $19,047 a year after aid versus $25,002 — a gap of $5,955 a year, or $23,820 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Washington & Jefferson College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York graduates earn more?
Washington & Jefferson College graduates report a median $67,918 ten years after entry, $4,483 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. 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, Washington & Jefferson College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Washington & Jefferson 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?
70% of students finish at Washington & Jefferson College, against 16% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. 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.