Head-to-head comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton: 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 Dunmore, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton
- Net price / year
- $17,910
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,435
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,640 in 4.8 years versus 4.8 years at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, 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 Scranton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,220 | $17,910 |
| Total net cost | $72,880 | $71,640 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,435 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $228,620 | $229,860 |
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 Scranton?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton, at $17,910 a year after aid versus $18,220 — a gap of $310 a year, or $1,240 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 Scranton 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 Scranton?
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?
39% of students finish at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton, 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.