Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs Johnson College: which has better ROI?
Option A Altoona, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
- Net price / year
- $22,213
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 5.9 yrs
Option B Scranton, PA
Johnson College
- Net price / year
- $19,954
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,194
- Payback
- 5.8 yrs
Johnson College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $39,908 in 5.8 years versus 5.9 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, on median earnings of $55,194 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Johnson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,213 | $19,954 |
| Total net cost | $88,852 | $39,908 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $55,194 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | 5.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $212,648 | $96,772 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Johnson College?
Johnson College, at $19,954 a year after aid versus $22,213 — a gap of $2,259 a year, or $48,944 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-Penn State Altoona or Johnson College graduates earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, $8,241 more than the $55,194 at Johnson 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-Penn State Altoona or Johnson College?
Johnson College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, a difference of $13,000. 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?
55% of students finish at Johnson College, against 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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.