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York College of Pennsylvania vs Johnson College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, York PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Scranton PA

The verdict

Johnson College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $39,908 in 5.8 years versus 5.9 years at York College of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $55,194 vs $61,012 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureYork College of PennsylvaniaJohnson College
Net price / yr$18,556$19,954
Total net cost$74,224$39,908
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,012$55,194
Median debt$26,000$12,000
Payback5.9 yrs5.8 yrs
20-year net return$178,816$96,772

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College?

York College of Pennsylvania, at $18,556 a year after aid versus $19,954 — a gap of $1,398 a year, or $34,316 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College graduates earn more?

York College of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $61,012 ten years after entry, $5,818 more than the $55,194 at Johnson 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, York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College?

Johnson College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at York College of Pennsylvania, a difference of $14,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at York College of Pennsylvania, against 55% at Johnson 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.

York College of Pennsylvania vs Johnson College: frequently asked questions

Is York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College a better value?
Johnson College. It clears its $39,908 net cost in about 5.8 years versus 5.9 years at York College of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $55,194 vs $61,012 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College?
York College of Pennsylvania: $18,556/yr net price after aid versus $19,954/yr at Johnson College — a difference of $1,398 a year, or about $34,316 over four years.
Do York College of Pennsylvania or Johnson College graduates earn more?
York College of Pennsylvania graduates earn a median $61,012 ten years after entry, versus $55,194 at Johnson College — a $5,818 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.