York College of Pennsylvania vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona: which has better ROI?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,852 in 5.9 years versus 5.9 years at York College of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $61,012 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | York College of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,556 | $22,213 |
| Total net cost | $74,224 | $88,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,012 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | 5.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $178,816 | $212,648 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, York College of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
York College of Pennsylvania, at $18,556 a year after aid versus $22,213 — a gap of $3,657 a year, or $14,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do York College of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $2,423 more than the $61,012 at York College of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at York College of Pennsylvania, a difference of $1,000. 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 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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.