Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs East Stroudsburg 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 11-point ROI advantage over East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, scoring 62/100 versus 51/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania comes in at $18,134 per year (net price after aid) versus $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - a difference of $14,741 annually, or roughly $58,964 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $63,435 compared to $56,148 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. The payback period is 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus versus 10 years at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Graduates leave East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania with a median $24,218 in debt versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.69 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Pennsylvania State Univer... | East Stroudsburg Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $20,644 | $11,536 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,790 | $19,502 |
| Net Price (avg) | $32,875 | $18,134 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $131,500 | $72,536 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,600 | $35,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,435 | $56,148 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.1% | 43.1% |
| Payback Period | 9.5 yr | 10 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $25,000 | $24,218 |
| Monthly Payment | $265 | $257 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.69 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 79.3% | 77.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 75.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | 92.0% |
| Enrollment | 42,284 | 4,814 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1420 | 1000-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Pennsylvania State U... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $19,845 | $15,365 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $20,049 | $14,511 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $25,667 | $17,382 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,834 | $21,135 |
| $110,001+ | $37,831 | $22,892 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Pennsylvania State U... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $120,729 | $104,026 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $98,637 | $104,383 |
| Registered Nursing | $91,032 | $97,321 |
| Mathematics | $77,336 | $48,828 |
| Chemistry | $65,230 | $73,146 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,218 | $58,287 |
| International Relations | $68,918 | $42,428 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $67,399 | $55,237 |
| Biology | $64,910 | $63,320 |
| Hospitality Administration | $63,798 | $58,882 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $62,072 | $60,249 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $54,488 | $58,113 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,877 | $57,494 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $55,741 | $51,012 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,505 | $53,559 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Pennsylvania State U... | East Stroudsburg Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 46 | 65 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 64 | 61 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 31 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 26 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 68 | 61 |
| Overall ROI Score | 62 | 51 |
The Verdict
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has a meaningfully higher ROI score (62 vs 51). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Below Average 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.