Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York
York, Pennsylvania · Public · 97.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
Penn State York is a Penn State branch campus in York, Pennsylvania, designed primarily as a two-year start-then-transfer pathway to Penn State University Park or other Penn State campuses. It posts a Fair Value ROI score of 62/100. The earnings premium subscore of 79 and payback period of 7.6 years are strong - graduates eventually carry the Penn State degree and the Penn State earnings premium that comes with it (10-year median earnings of $63,435). The 16.3% completion rate looks alarming in isolation but largely reflects students transferring to Penn State University Park before completing here, not dropping out of higher education. Tuition is $15,208 in-state and net price after aid is $19,047, totaling $76,188 over four years if a student were to remain on this campus the full four years. Median federal debt is $25,000 with a 0.573 debt-to-earnings ratio. Repayment is healthy at 79.3% at three years.
The data raises concerns about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate16.3% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,208/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $25,392/yr |
| Average net price | $19,047/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $76,188 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,435 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $43,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 16.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 668 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is $15,208/year ($25,392/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,047/year, or roughly $76,188 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,582/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,411/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,435 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.57 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $11,582 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,156 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,261 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,054 |
| $110,001+ | $24,411 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $11,582 net per year, and the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $11,156 (a slight inversion). Pell grants make the branch campus genuinely affordable for low-income students, and the cost-savings advantage over starting at University Park is real - typically saving $5,000-$8,000 per year on housing and tuition.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $16,261 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $20,054. The cost ramp is steep but consistent with Penn State branch pricing. Middle-income families capture genuine savings versus the main campus, especially for the first two years before transferring.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $24,411 per year, $97,644 over four years. For full-pay families the cost savings versus University Park narrow significantly, and the calculation tilts toward starting at the main campus for the full social and academic experience unless commute or housing concerns dominate.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $65,292 | C |
| Biology | $64,910 | D |
| Psychology | $49,543 | D |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,943 | D |
| Information Science | $91,671 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $50,299 | D |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $81,835 | B |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $55,840 | D |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $73,308 | B |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | $69,102 | 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 and Management
Business Administration is the largest cohort that completes at Penn State York (16 grads). C ROI grade with first-year earnings of $45,110 and four-year earnings of $65,292 against $27,000 of median debt produces a 0.599 ratio. The Penn State business credential drives consistent placement into mid-Atlantic corporate roles.
Biology
Biology (13 grads) earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $33,417 and a 0.778 debt-to-earnings ratio reflect the typical bachelor's-terminal Biology outcome. Four-year earnings of $64,910 suggest some graduates do continue to graduate or professional school, lifting the late-career number.
Psychology
Psychology (13 grads) earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $32,408 and a 0.833 debt-to-earnings ratio. Most graduates require graduate study to reach meaningful earnings; terminal-bachelor's careers tend to land in HR, case management, or research-coordinator roles in the $40K range.
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Human Development (12 grads) earns a D ROI grade. Career paths into early childhood services, family support, and case management produce modest earnings of $34,030 first year. Median debt of $28,000 against those earnings yields a 0.823 ratio.
Information Science
Information Science (7 grads) is one of the strongest programs: B ROI grade, $66,209 first-year earnings, $91,671 by year four, and a 0.393 debt-to-earnings ratio. The Penn State IST credential is well-regarded by mid-Atlantic technology employers including healthcare and defense contractors.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 97.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-625 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-28 |
| Enrollment | 668 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,236 |
Penn State York admits 97.4% of applicants, reflecting branch-campus access policy. SAT mid-ranges of 520-625 math and 530-620 reading and ACT 22-28 indicate above-average academic preparation despite the high admit rate. Students choose the branch campus for cost, proximity, or as a guaranteed pathway into Penn State's main university system. The combination of high admit rate and decent test profile produces a self-selected group that completes at higher rates than the headline 16.3% implies once transfers are counted.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Penn State York's peer set includes other regional and branch campuses: Cheyney University, East Stroudsburg University, University of Maine at Fort Kent, Miami University Middletown, and Ohio University Zanesville. Miami University Middletown and Ohio University Zanesville are the closest structural comparisons - branch campuses of larger flagships with similar transfer-out completion patterns. Penn State York's earnings outcomes outpace the regional comprehensives in this peer set because the Penn State system credential carries real labor-market value.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York (this school) | 62 | $19,047 | $63,435 |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | 64 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| Miami University-Middletown | 63 | $10,809 | $55,076 |
| Ohio University-Zanesville Campus | 60 | $5,746 | $52,581 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment of just 668 and a 30.2% Pell rate signal a small, predominantly middle-income student body. Penn State York fits south-central Pennsylvania students who want to start at Penn State with lower cost and a shorter commute, then transfer to University Park to finish in their major. The pathway works best for students with declared majors in Computer Science, Information Science, Engineering Technology, or Business Management - all of which produce strong four-year earnings post-transfer.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $19,047 per year leads to $76,188 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $63,435 a decade out. The payback period of 7.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 16.3% graduation rate.
Median debt of $25,000 against $63,435 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.