Head-to-head comparison
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania vs Lycoming College: which has better ROI?
Option A East Stroudsburg, PA
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
- Net price / year
- $18,134
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,148
- Payback
- 9.3 yrs
Option B Williamsport, PA
Lycoming College
- Net price / year
- $19,140
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,210
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,536 in 9.3 years versus 9.8 years at Lycoming College, on median earnings of $56,148 vs $56,210 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | Lycoming College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,134 | $19,140 |
| Total net cost | $72,536 | $76,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,148 | $56,210 |
| Median debt | $24,218 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.3 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $83,224 | $80,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College?
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, at $18,134 a year after aid versus $19,140 — a gap of $1,006 a year, or $4,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College graduates earn more?
Lycoming College graduates report a median $56,210 ten years after entry, $62 more than the $56,148 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania or Lycoming College?
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $24,218 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Lycoming College, a difference of $2,782. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at Lycoming College, against 43% at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.