Central Penn College
Central Penn College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Central Penn College at a Glance
Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Enola, Pennsylvania. Established in 1881, CPC offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and a master's degree in Professional Studies. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Central Penn College was originally known as Central Pennsylvania Business School. The school changed its name in 1999 to Central Pennsylvania College and then to Central Penn College in 2010.
1881
145 years old
821
Identity
Is Central Penn College Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Central Penn College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,370 — 16% below average — while paying $18,953/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Admission is competitive with a 18% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
With median debt of $23,194 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Central Penn College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Central Penn College compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 26 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Center for Advanced Legal Studies | 62 | $13,959 | $56,561 |
| #2 | Angeles College | 41 | $28,639 | $49,108 |
| #3 | InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | 30 | $27,536 | $36,089 |
| #4 | Platt College-Ontario | 28 | $20,711 | $40,669 |
| #5 | Platt College-Anaheim | 28 | $22,678 | $40,669 |
| #6 | Central Penn College | 26 | $18,953 | $45,370 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Central Penn College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Central Penn College
The highest-earning program at Central Penn College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $40,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Central Penn College earns $40,700, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $40,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $34,401 in median debt vs. $34,401 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,953/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,700 | $40,700 | $34,401 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Summerdale, PA
- Student Body
- 662 students
- Admission Rate
- 18%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,953
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,370
- Median Student Debt
- $23,194