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Is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Pennsylvania State University-, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Pennsylvania State University- sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $63,435 helps, but median debt of $25,000 plus yearly net price of $32,875 creates a tighter path. For context, Pennsylvania State University-'s net price sits about 109% above the typical 4-year, public school and near the top of its sector range. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$27,450
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis significantly impacts your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $14,296 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $57,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price is doing real work against the score and raises the financing burden quickly.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data is workable, but not so strong that it erases financing risk.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$32,875
Median earnings 10 years out
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
86%
At Pennsylvania State University-, a typical graduate carries about $25,000 in student debt and earns roughly $63,435 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $284 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Pennsylvania State University- is a public four year school in University Park, PA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA
Worth-It Score: 68/100
Median net price: $30,434
Public 4-year
Temple
Philadelphia, PA
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $28,198
Public 4-year
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA
Worth-It Score: 54/100
Median net price: $23,726
Public 4-year
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $23,331
Public 4-year
The University of Arizona Global Campus
Chandler, AZ
Worth-It Score: 14/100
Median net price: $31,266
Common questions about Pennsylvania State University-
The median net price at Pennsylvania State University- is $32,875 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Pennsylvania? See the most affordable public universities in Pennsylvania →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →