York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 73.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
York College of Pennsylvania earns a Fair Value ROI score of 68, sitting in the middle of CampusROI's tier ladder. The school's standout numbers are its 8.2-year payback period and a strong 84.5% three-year loan repayment rate, both signals that graduates land jobs that service their debt. Median earnings climb from $40,100 at six years post-entry to $61,012 by year ten, a healthy trajectory for a regional private nonprofit. The 64.1% completion rate is solid but not exceptional for the price point. The drag on the overall score is debt-to-earnings: $26,000 in median debt against $40,100 in six-year earnings yields a 0.648 ratio (40 sub-score), meaning early-career grads carry meaningful loan burden relative to income. In-state and out-of-state sticker tuition is identical at $25,588, with net price after aid landing at $18,556 (a $74,224 four-year sticker total). York's earnings premium of 35% above high-school-only peers is real, but the debt math is what prevents this from being a Strong Value school. For families willing to lean into engineering, nursing, or computer science programs, the ROI math improves significantly.
York College of Pennsylvania
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $25,588/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $25,588/yr |
| Average net price | $18,556/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $74,224 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,012 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,265 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at York College of Pennsylvania is $25,588/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,556/year, or roughly $74,224 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,927/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,196/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,012 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.65 - 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 | $12,927 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,581 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,024 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,799 |
| $110,001+ | $22,196 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $12,927 at York, the lowest bracket. That's roughly half of sticker tuition and reflects need-based aid working as intended. Over four years, that's about $51,700 of investment against a $40,100 six-year median earnings projection. The math is tight but not catastrophic, especially if the student lands in a higher-earning program. Pell-eligible students should also stack federal and state grants on top.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 income band pays $17,024 net per year, or roughly $68,100 across four years. For a household at this income level, that's a significant lift even with aid. Returns work out fine if the student picks a high-ROI major (nursing, engineering, CS), but mid-income families pursuing liberal arts paths should compare York's net price against in-state Pennsylvania public alternatives like Penn State branch campuses.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households earning $110,001+ pay $22,196 net, which approaches the $25,588 sticker rate. Across four years, that's $88,800 of out-of-pocket investment. The earnings premium and 8.2-year payback period justify the spend only if the family is debt-averse and the student commits to a high-ROI program. Otherwise, flagship publics elsewhere in the region often deliver comparable outcomes for less.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at York College of Pennsylvania with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $91,052 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,548 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,995 | B |
| Biology | $67,444 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,918 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,275 | C |
| Psychology | $53,927 | D |
| Teacher Education | $49,654 | C |
| Accounting | $67,405 | C+ |
| Marketing | $69,407 | C |
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.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is York's deepest and best-performing program, with 147 graduates and $77,469 in first-year median earnings climbing to $91,052 by year four. At $27,000 median debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at 0.349 with a B+ ROI grade. This is a textbook strong-ROI path: the program funnels into a state-tested credential with national demand. Pennsylvania's healthcare-employer concentration in Philadelphia and Baltimore corridors gives York grads a clear hiring runway.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering at York produces 40 grads per year with $74,445 first-year earnings, hitting $89,995 by year four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.363 earns a B grade. The York program benefits from the Mid-Atlantic manufacturing and defense corridor (Baltimore, DC, Philly, Pittsburgh), where mid-career mechanical engineers reliably break six figures. A strong choice for cost-conscious engineering applicants who can't get into more selective programs.
Computer Science
CS at York is small (17 graduates) but performs well: $67,310 first-year earnings and $100,044 by year four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.401 yields a B grade. The four-year jump from $67K to $100K reflects how CS career compounding works once grads gain experience. Smaller cohort means less brand recognition with tech employers than larger CS programs, but York grads who land regional roles see solid trajectories.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Admin is the largest non-nursing program with 47 grads, earning $54,054 first-year and $69,548 by year four. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.488 yields a C+ grade. The earnings are decent but not exceptional for an undergrad business degree; the $69,548 four-year figure suggests most grads land in regional middle-management or operations roles rather than higher-paying consulting or finance tracks.
Psychology
Psychology at York shows the cautionary pattern: $37,203 first-year earnings against $27,000 debt drives a 0.726 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. Four-year earnings only climb to $53,927, indicating most grads either need a master's to reach professional psych roles or end up in unrelated mid-wage work. Applicants drawn to psych should plan for graduate school and run that combined cost out before committing.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 73.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-630 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 520-640 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-28 |
| Enrollment | 3,265 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,539 |
York College of Pennsylvania admits 73.7% of applicants, placing it in the moderately selective range. Mid-50% SAT scores run 500-630 math and 520-640 reading; ACT mid-range is 21-28. These are middle-of-the-road benchmarks consistent with a regional comprehensive private. Prepared students at or above the 75th percentile typically complete on time, helping explain the 64% institution-wide completion rate. Selectivity here filters for college-ready students without screening out first-generation applicants.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
York's ROI score of 68 outpaces several of its CampusROI peers. Albright College and Elmhurst University sit in similar mid-tier territory but trail on payback period. University of La Verne carries a heavier net price tag in a high-cost California market, eroding its ROI math despite stronger nominal earnings. Calvin University compares closely on completion rate and earnings premium but lacks York's strong loan-repayment numbers. Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a much smaller, more specialized peer that doesn't compete on engineering or nursing program depth, which is where York pulls ahead.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| York College of Pennsylvania (this school) | 68 | $18,556 | $61,012 |
| University of La Verne | 70 | $20,161 | $65,464 |
| Elmhurst University | 68 | $24,185 | $61,462 |
| Calvin University | 65 | $22,992 | $58,375 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
York fits students looking for a mid-sized private (3,265 undergrads) without the price tag of more selective Northeast peers. Pell rate is moderate at 28.1%, suggesting a mostly middle-income student body rather than a need-heavy one. The school works best for students pointed at engineering, nursing, allied health, or computer science where program-level earnings push past $90,000 by year four. Liberal arts majors should run the numbers more carefully: history, psychology, and communication grads at York show debt-to-earnings ratios above 0.7. Pennsylvania residents and Mid-Atlantic students dominate the geographic draw.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
York College of Pennsylvania offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $18,556 per year leads to $74,224 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $61,012 a decade out. The payback period of 8.2 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,000 against $61,012 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.