East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) is a public university in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
1893
133 years old
7,234
6,099 undergrad · 1,135 grad
280
213 acres
Identity
Is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,148 — 4% above average — while paying $18,134/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #97 of 138 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #6 | Schoolcraft Community College District | 79 | $2,260 | $42,722 |
| #97 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 34 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in PA.
Best Programs at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania earns $67,800, while a Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduate earns $25,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,558 in median debt vs. $24,375 for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,134/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,800 | $67,800 | $26,558 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,400 | $53,400 | $22,500 |
| Mathematics | $41,000 | $41,000 | $26,625 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,649 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,600 | $34,600 | $24,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $33,500 | $33,500 | $23,375 |
| Economics | $32,900 | $32,900 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $32,600 | $32,600 | $23,250 |
| Public Health | $32,100 | $32,100 | $24,758 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,900 | $31,900 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,500 | $31,500 | $26,810 |
| Biology, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,873 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,250 |
| History | $29,200 | $29,200 | $25,321 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,900 | $28,900 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $28,900 | $28,900 | $26,298 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $28,500 | $28,500 | $24,125 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,000 | $28,000 | N/A |
| Communications Technology/Technician | $27,600 | $27,600 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $24,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $20,318 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $25,700 | $25,700 | $20,220 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $25,500 | $25,500 | $24,375 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- East Stroudsburg, PA
- Student Body
- 4,814 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,134
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,148
- Median Student Debt
- $24,218