Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs University of Pennsylvania
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +102% | +468% |
| 10-year net gain | $143,400 | $564,577 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $73,401 | $113,510 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $54,289 | $83,208 |
| Average net price | $32,875 | $28,699 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $15,715 |
| Break-even | 5 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 97% |
| Admission rate | 74% | 5% |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Strong return
+$143,400 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
University of Pennsylvania
Strong return
+$564,577 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.