Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Millersville University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Millersville University (MU) or The Ville, is a public university in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It is one of the ten schools that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). First established in 1854 as the Millersville Academy out of the since-demolished Old Main, the academy specialized in a series of workshop-style teacher institutes in response to the 1834 Free School Act of Pennsylvania. It was the first no…
1855
171 years old
$52M
$51.5 million (2024)
6,500
299
250 acres
Identity
Is Millersville University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,246 — 3% above average — while paying $20,787/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Millersville University of Pennsylvania has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Millersville University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #108 of 158 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #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 |
| #108 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 37 | $20,787 | $55,246 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Millersville 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 Millersville University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at Millersville University of Pennsylvania is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Area Studies at $23,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Millersville University of Pennsylvania earns $64,000, while a Area Studies graduate earns $23,700. 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 $10,449 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Area Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,787/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 | $64,000 | $64,000 | $10,449 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $53,300 | $53,300 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $46,400 | $46,400 | $24,250 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $44,600 | $44,600 | $26,927 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,500 | $42,500 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | $38,500 | $38,500 | $21,500 |
| Chemistry | $38,000 | $38,000 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,000 | $37,000 | $24,108 |
| Biology, General | $35,300 | $35,300 | $26,000 |
| Economics | $34,500 | $34,500 | $22,277 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,900 | $32,900 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $24,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,900 | $31,900 | $25,750 |
| Social Work | $29,500 | $29,500 | $24,125 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $25,535 |
| Psychology, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $23,250 |
| Music | $27,300 | $27,300 | $23,473 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $27,200 | $27,200 | $27,000 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $26,600 | $26,600 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,700 | $25,700 | $26,125 |
| History | $24,800 | $24,800 | $24,750 |
| Area Studies | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Millersville, PA
- Student Body
- 5,728 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,787
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,246
- Median Student Debt
- $23,507