Head-to-head comparison
Misericordia University vs Lycoming College: which has better ROI?
Option A Dallas, PA
Misericordia University
- Net price / year
- $37,485
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,313
- Payback
- 9.4 yrs
Option B Williamsport, PA
Lycoming College
- Net price / year
- $19,140
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,210
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
Misericordia University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $149,940 in 9.4 years versus 9.8 years at Lycoming College, on median earnings of $64,313 vs $56,210 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Misericordia University | Lycoming College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,485 | $19,140 |
| Total net cost | $149,940 | $76,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,313 | $56,210 |
| Median debt | $26,973 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $169,120 | $80,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Misericordia University or Lycoming College?
Lycoming College, at $19,140 a year after aid versus $37,485 — a gap of $18,345 a year, or $73,380 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 Misericordia University or Lycoming College graduates earn more?
Misericordia University graduates report a median $64,313 ten years after entry, $8,103 more than the $56,210 at Lycoming College. 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, Misericordia University or Lycoming College?
Misericordia University: its completers carry a median $26,973 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Lycoming College, a difference of $27. 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?
72% of students finish at Misericordia University, against 60% at Lycoming College. 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.