Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus holds a 51-point ROI advantage over Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, scoring 62/100 versus 11/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania comes in at $14,265 per year (net price after aid) versus $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - a difference of $18,610 annually, or roughly $74,440 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $63,435 compared to $37,837 at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. The payback period is 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus versus 69.5 years at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
Graduates leave Cheyney University of Pennsylvania with a median $21,785 in debt versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.92 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Pennsylvania State Univer... | Cheyney University of Pen... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $20,644 | $10,904 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,790 | $18,870 |
| Net Price (avg) | $32,875 | $14,265 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $131,500 | $57,060 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,600 | $23,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,435 | $37,837 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.1% | 40.6% |
| Payback Period | 9.5 yr | 69.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $25,000 | $21,785 |
| Monthly Payment | $265 | $231 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.92 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 79.3% | 42.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 27.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 42,284 | 617 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Pennsylvania State U... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $19,845 | $13,585 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $20,049 | $12,358 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $25,667 | $14,773 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,834 | $20,215 |
| $110,001+ | $37,831 | $16,493 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Pennsylvania State U... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,218 | $44,072 |
| Sociology | $49,197 | $47,889 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Pennsylvania State U... | Cheyney University o... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 46 | 11 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 64 | 10 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 7 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 68 | 5 |
| Overall ROI Score | 62 | 11 |
The Verdict
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus significantly outperforms Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on financial ROI (62 vs 11). The 51-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Cheyney University of Pennsylvania offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.