Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington: which has better ROI?
Option A Center Valley, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
- Net price / year
- $18,220
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
Option B New Kensington, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington
- Net price / year
- $18,305
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 4.9 yrs
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,880 in 4.8 years versus 4.9 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $63,435 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,220 | $18,305 |
| Total net cost | $72,880 | $73,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $228,620 | $228,280 |
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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, at $18,220 a year after aid versus $18,305 — a gap of $85 a year, or $340 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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington graduates earn more?
Graduates of both report a median $63,435 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington?
Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
28% of students finish at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington, against 18% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. 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.