Keystone College
Keystone College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Keystone College Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, Keystone College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,976 — 16% below average — while paying $22,051/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% 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 median debt of $26,000 representing 58% 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 Keystone College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Keystone College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #101 of 143 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #4 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #5 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #101 | Keystone College | 20 | $22,051 | $44,976 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Keystone College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in PA.
Best Programs at Keystone College
The highest-earning program at Keystone College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $33,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $20,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Keystone College earns $33,000, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $20,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $26,218 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,051/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 | $33,000 | $33,000 | $26,218 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $30,376 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,600 | $26,600 | $26,993 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $22,800 | $22,800 | $26,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $22,500 | $22,500 | $31,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,800 | $21,800 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $20,900 | $20,900 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- La Plume, PA
- Student Body
- 771 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,051
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,976
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000