Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 74.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 54/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Lycoming College scores 54 (Below Average Value) on CampusROI, dragged down by a 10.2-year payback period, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.742 (the weakest sub-score at 22 points), $36,400 average 6-year earnings, and a 59.6% completion rate. Median debt of $27,000 - at the statutory federal loan limit for undergraduates - against $36,400 in average earnings creates a strained financial structure. Net price of $19,140 is moderate given a $50,029 sticker tuition. The program set is limited: Business Administration (31 graduates, $41,884 year-one, $66,056 year-four, C grade), Political Science (17 graduates, $40,646 year-one, $61,144 year-four, C grade), History (10 graduates, year-one $35,026), Psychology (36 graduates, $34,534 year-one, $49,081 year-four, D grade), Biology (18 graduates, $32,319 year-one, D grade), Communication (0 reported completers in period), and Fine Arts (7 graduates, $25,858 year-one, F grade). Lycoming is a small Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, serving primarily regional students. The institution's strength, such as it is, lies in affordable access to small-college liberal arts in central Pennsylvania - not in standout earnings outcomes.
Lycoming College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $50,029/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,029/yr |
| Average net price | $19,140/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $76,560 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,210 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 996 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $50,029/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $19,140/year, or roughly $76,560 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $12,151/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,233/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $27,000, which works out to about $286 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($36,400) and comes to 0.74, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,151 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,785 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,883 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,435 |
| $110,001+ | $26,233 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $12,151 per year at Lycoming - $48,604 over four years. Aid is aggressive at this income level relative to the $50,029 sticker. Against $36,400 average 6-year earnings and a 10.2-year payback, the financial case for low-income students depends on completion - 40% of students do not finish, meaning roughly two in five low-income students will exit with debt and no degree. Completion risk is the primary concern at this income band.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,883 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,435. Middle-income families face approximately $64,000-$82,000 in total four-year cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $26,233 per year - approximately $104,932 over four years. Students from higher-income families who choose Lycoming are typically prioritizing the small-college experience in a specific regional context, not optimizing financial return on the degree.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at Lycoming College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $49,081 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,056 | C |
| Biology | $64,552 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $61,144 | C |
| History | $35,026 | - |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,936 | F |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,916 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (31 graduates) is Lycoming's best-performing program: $41,884 year-one and $66,056 year-four with median debt of $27,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.645 (ROI grade C). Year-one earnings above $41,000 against $27,000 median debt are manageable but require financial discipline. The four-year trajectory to $66,056 reflects regional business employment. Business is the clearest financial pathway at Lycoming for students who complete the major.
Political Science and Government
Political Science (17 graduates) earns $40,646 year-one and $61,144 year-four with median debt of $27,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.664 (ROI grade C). The outcomes are similar to business administration. Political science graduates at a small regional institution typically enter public sector, law school, or regional private sector employment. The C grade reflects adequate but not strong financial structure at Lycoming's debt level.
Psychology
Psychology (36 graduates) earns $34,534 year-one and $49,081 year-four with median debt of $27,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.782 (ROI grade D). Year-one earnings below $35,000 against $27,000 in debt is a tight position that will persist for several years. The year-four improvement to $49,081 requires time to materialize. Psychology at Lycoming is most appropriate for students planning graduate clinical training, where the undergraduate major is a prerequisite rather than the terminal credential.
Biology
Biology (18 graduates) earns $32,319 year-one and $64,552 year-four with median debt of $26,837 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.830 (ROI grade D). The year-one figure is depressed by the pre-health pipeline - many biology graduates are not immediately in career roles. The year-four figure of $64,552 reflects some graduate/professional school placement. At $27,000 median debt, the D grade reflects that short-term earnings are poorly matched to debt service, though long-run outcomes for medical and pharmacy school completers are not captured.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.0% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.6% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.7% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Lycoming College’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 74.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-650 |
| Enrollment | 996 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,261 |
At 74.1% admission, Lycoming is accessible for most applicants meeting the academic profile. SAT 540-650 Math and 540-650 Reading reflect moderate academic preparation. No ACT data is reported. Given the 59.6% completion rate - four in ten students do not finish - prospective students should assess whether the academic environment, support services, and program availability are aligned with their preparation level and goals.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Lycoming's repayment rate of 80.6% is a modest positive - graduates manage debt obligations adequately.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lycoming College (this school) | 54 | $19,140 | $56,210 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Newman University | 55 | $19,971 | $55,041 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Lycoming admits 74.1% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 540-650 Math and 540-650 Reading (no ACT data). Enrollment is only 996 - a very small institution. Pell rate of 38% indicates meaningful low-income representation. Williamsport is a small city in north-central Pennsylvania with a limited local labor market, meaning most graduates must relocate for career advancement. The Methodist affiliation is present but not as defining as at more sectarian institutions.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Lycoming College is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $19,140 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $56,210 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $27,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $36,400 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Lycoming College: Common Questions
Is Lycoming College worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Lycoming College scores 54/100 on our ROI scale. At $19,140 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $56,210 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Lycoming College cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $19,140 a year, or roughly $76,560 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Lycoming College graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $56,210 ten years after enrolling, roughly $14,410 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Lycoming College?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.2 years for Lycoming College. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Lycoming College graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $27,000, against average earnings of $36,400 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Lycoming College?
The six-year graduation rate is 59.6%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.