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Head-to-head comparison

University of Pennsylvania vs Haverford College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Philadelphia PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Haverford PA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania

Net price / year
$28,699
Earnings, 10 years
$111,371
Payback
1.8 yrs

Option B Haverford, PA

Haverford College

Net price / year
$25,314
Earnings, 10 years
$79,966
Payback
3.2 yrs
The verdict

University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,796 in 1.8 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $79,966 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of PennsylvaniaHaverford College
Net price / yr$28,699$25,314
Total net cost$114,796$101,256
Median earnings, 10 yrs$111,371$79,966
Median debt$15,715$13,621
Payback1.8 yrs3.2 yrs
20-year net return$1,145,424$530,864

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College?

Haverford College, at $25,314 a year after aid versus $28,699 — a gap of $3,385 a year, or $13,540 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 University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College graduates earn more?

University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $111,371 ten years after entry, $31,405 more than the $79,966 at Haverford 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, University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College?

Haverford College: its completers carry a median $13,621 in federal loans versus $15,715 at University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $2,094. 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?

97% of students finish at University of Pennsylvania, against 90% at Haverford 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.

University of Pennsylvania vs Haverford College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College a better value?
University of Pennsylvania. It clears its $114,796 net cost in about 1.8 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $79,966 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College?
Haverford College: $25,314/yr net price after aid versus $28,699/yr at University of Pennsylvania — a difference of $3,385 a year, or about $13,540 over four years.
Do University of Pennsylvania or Haverford College graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn a median $111,371 ten years after entry, versus $79,966 at Haverford College — a $31,405 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.