Lycoming College
Lycoming College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lycoming College at a Glance
Lycoming College is a private liberal arts college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church but operates as an independent institution. Through its history, it has been an academy, seminary, junior college, and four-year college.
1812
214 years old
$198M
$198.15 million (2024)
1,200
91
60 acres
Identity
Is Lycoming College Worth It?
Lycoming College offers moderate value at $19,140/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,210, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Lycoming College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #20 of 142 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #6 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #20 | Lycoming College | 44 | $19,140 | $56,210 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Lycoming College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in PA.
Best Programs at Lycoming College
The highest-earning program at Lycoming College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $39,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Lycoming College earns $39,400, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $26,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,140/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 | $39,400 | $39,400 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,500 | $26,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Williamsport, PA
- Student Body
- 996 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,140
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,210
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000