Head-to-head comparison
University of Scranton vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington: which has better ROI?
Option A Scranton, PA
University of Scranton
- Net price / year
- $32,568
- Earnings, 10 years
- $74,652
- Payback
- 5 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 New Kensington has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,220 in 4.9 years versus 5 years at University of Scranton, on median earnings of $63,435 vs $74,652 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Scranton | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,568 | $18,305 |
| Total net cost | $130,272 | $73,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,652 | $63,435 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $395,568 | $228,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Scranton or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington, at $18,305 a year after aid versus $32,568 — a gap of $14,263 a year, or $57,052 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 Scranton or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington graduates earn more?
University of Scranton graduates report a median $74,652 ten years after entry, $11,217 more than the $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. 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 Scranton or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Scranton, 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?
80% of students finish at University of Scranton, against 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. 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.