Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees in Pennsylvania by ROI
Colleges in Pennsylvania ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Pennsylvania
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$343,724
Across Pennsylvania programs
Average Annual Cost
$21,369
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Reading Area Community College
Grad rate: 22.9% |
-$226,331 | $32,829 | $14,368 | $10,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Montgomery County Community College
Grad rate: 23.2% |
-$273,917 | $30,605 | $14,571 | $12,500 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Community College of Philadelphia
Grad rate: 17.7% |
-$286,520 | $30,526 | $19,070 | $14,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Community College of Allegheny County
Grad rate: 20.9% |
-$292,602 | $29,720 | $13,905 | $14,217 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Eastern University
Grad rate: 57.6% |
-$293,608 | $34,349 | $53,293 | $25,187 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Delaware County Community College
Grad rate: 20.2% |
-$314,269 | $28,581 | $12,957 | $14,797 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Grad rate: 38.9% |
-$314,614 | $28,307 | $12,623 | $11,488 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Luzerne County Community College
Grad rate: 19.4% |
-$338,772 | $27,354 | $14,995 | $11,750 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Mercyhurst University
Grad rate: 61.2% |
-$343,596 | $31,425 | $57,948 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Harrisburg Area Community College
Grad rate: 17.9% |
-$344,060 | $27,584 | $16,636 | $16,643 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Community College of Beaver County
Grad rate: 20.9% |
-$348,261 | $26,702 | $11,329 | $14,551 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Bucks County Community College
Grad rate: 26.8% |
-$367,897 | $25,599 | $12,901 | $10,426 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Grad rate: 24.1% |
-$382,340 | $25,133 | $15,075 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Manor College
Grad rate: 28.6% |
-$403,116 | $24,562 | $27,178 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Northampton County Area Community College
Grad rate: 21.2% |
-$430,009 | $23,150 | $16,211 | $15,250 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees by State
Browse Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.