Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Lycoming College: which has better ROI?
Option A University Park, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $32,875
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 8.7 yrs
Option B Williamsport, PA
Lycoming College
- Net price / year
- $19,140
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,210
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,500 in 8.7 years versus 9.8 years at Lycoming College, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $56,210 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | Lycoming College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,875 | $19,140 |
| Total net cost | $131,500 | $76,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $56,210 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $170,000 | $80,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Lycoming College?
Lycoming College, at $19,140 a year after aid versus $32,875 — a gap of $13,735 a year, or $54,940 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 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Lycoming College graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $7,225 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, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus or Lycoming College?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Lycoming College, a difference of $2,000. 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?
86% of students finish at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, 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.