The cost of college in Pennsylvania — and what it pays back
Across the 169 Pennsylvania institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $21,741/yr, $4,835 above the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $55,246 ten years after entry (above the $43,552 national median), and 110 of the 169 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$21,741
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,246
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.5 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
110/169
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Pennsylvania's 169 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong36
Solid45
Slow16
Weak72
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | $28,699 | $111,371 | 1.8 yrs |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $31,944 | $114,862 | 1.9 yrs |
| Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster | $42,478 | $86,881 | 2.2 yrs |
| Lehigh University | $36,931 | $105,584 | 2.6 yrs |
| Swarthmore College | $23,149 | $80,257 | 2.9 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland County Community College | $5,167 | $37,439 | no payback |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | $6,200 | $38,752 | no payback |
| Butler County Community College | $6,233 | $38,891 | no payback |
| Bucks County Community College | $6,389 | $47,324 | no payback |
| Delaware County Community College | $6,576 | $45,391 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Pennsylvania?
The median net price across Pennsylvania colleges is $21,741/yr after aid — above the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Pennsylvania cheaper than the national average?
No — the median Pennsylvania net price of $21,741/yr runs about $4,835/yr above the $16,906 national median. Individual schools vary widely, so check each profile.
What do Pennsylvania college graduates earn?
A median $55,246 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), above the $43,552 national median.
Which Pennsylvania college pays for itself fastest?
University of Pennsylvania — about 1.8 years to clear its $114,796 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-pennsylvania page.