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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York

Public York, PA · Suburban · Mid-Atlantic · 100% data
A- Earnings B- Value C Diversity
Graduation Rate
14% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$63,435 A-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$19,047 C-
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
97% F
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +56% vs avg
Graduation -76% vs avg
Net Price 11% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 19.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years.

19.4× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,403,892.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduates earn 56% more than the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 14% — 76% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $19.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public University
Enrollment
668
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical

Why students choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 53% overall
A-
Earnings
$63,435 median
B-
Value
3.3× net price
C-
Affordability
$19,047/yr net
F
Graduation
14% graduate
F
Selectivity
97% admit rate
C
Diversity
0.56 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of 97%, Penn State York is an accessible choice for students looking to dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Computer Science. This campus caters to those who value a smaller community feel while still being part of the larger Penn State system. If you’re interested in fields like Biology or English, you’ll find a supportive environment that encourages exploration and personal growth.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $63,435 within ten years. This figure indicates that many graduates find steady employment and can build a solid career. However, it’s important to consider the affordability aspect too. With a net price of $19,047, it’s crucial to weigh your financial options, especially since 30% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help offset costs.

Looking at the cost and debt load, students graduate with a median debt of $25,000. This can be manageable if you’re prepared to budget after school. Those who thrive here are often self-motivated and willing to engage with the community. If you’re looking for a college experience that balances accessibility with a supportive network, Penn State York might be a fitting choice.

Can I Get In?

How selective Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in York, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,140. The graduation rate is roughly 14%.

Acceptance Rate
97%
Retention Rate
77%
SAT Average
1140
SAT Range
1050–1245
ACT Range
22–28
Full-Time Faculty
55%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$10,236
Student–Faculty Ratio
11:1
Diversity Index
0.56
First-Gen Students
29%
Applicants
2,005
Admitted
1,862

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is $25,392, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,047. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,582 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$15,208
Out-of-State
$25,392
Avg Net Price
$19,047
Median Debt
$25,000
Pell Grant Rate
30%
Federal Loan Rate
49%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$11,582
Family Income $30K–$48K
$11,156
Family Income $48K–$75K
$16,261
Family Income $110K+
$24,411

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$55,620
8 Years
$60,370
10 Years
$63,435
Debt-to-Earnings
0.39x
Earning > $25K
73%

Earnings Trajectory

$55,620 6yr $60,370 8yr $63,435 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (16)
6%
100% (16)
6%
100% (16)
6%
100% (16)
6%

How Pennsylvania Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation14%Earnings 10yr$63KNet Price$19KRetention77%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate30%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$11K$30-48K$16K$48-75K$24K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,047/year ($76,188 total). Graduates earn $63,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,480,080 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,403,892 (19.4× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 14% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$76,188
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,480,080
Net Return
$1,403,892
ROI Multiple
19.4×
Cost Per Year
$19,047
Median Debt
$25,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
14%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in York, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,140. The graduation rate is roughly 14%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is $25,392, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,047. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,582 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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