Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
The Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
1866
160 years old
$46M
$45.7 million (2025)
7,391
552
326 acres
Identity
Is Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,775 — 0% above average — while paying $21,331/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 91% 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 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Kutztown University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #89 of 129 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #89 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 34 | $21,331 | $53,775 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kutztown 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 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $51,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania earns $51,600, while a History graduate earns $21,800. 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: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $26,437 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,331/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,600 | $51,600 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,800 | $39,800 | $25,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,300 | $38,300 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $32,600 | $32,600 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,750 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,250 |
| Social Sciences, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $29,600 | $29,600 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $29,400 | $29,400 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,300 | $28,300 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $26,996 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,872 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,900 | $25,900 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,800 | $22,800 | $27,000 |
| History | $21,800 | $21,800 | $26,437 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kutztown, PA
- Student Body
- 6,180 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,331
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,775
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000