Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois at a Glance
Penn State DuBois is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University and it is located in DuBois, Pennsylvania. The campus was established in 1935, but in May 2025 Penn State officials announced it would close after the Spring 2027 semester, citing low enrollment and financial losses.
1935
91 years old
375
375 undergrad
39
Identity
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,435 — 18% above average — while paying $17,428/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 31% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 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 97% 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 6 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 Connecticut-Avery Point | 79 | $13,807 | $73,997 |
| #2 | Ohio University-Eastern Campus | 68 | $3,925 | $52,581 |
| #3 | Ohio University-Southern Campus | 44 | $5,993 | $52,581 |
| #4 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois | 29 | $17,428 | $63,435 |
| #5 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango | 29 | $18,095 | $63,435 |
| #6 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | 24 | $15,521 | $63,435 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois
The highest-earning program at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois is Information Science/Studies at $59,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at $28,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Information Science/Studies graduate from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois earns $59,700, while a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduate earns $28,600. 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: Information Science/Studies graduates carry $26,726 in median debt vs. $27,283 for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,428/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $59,700 | $59,700 | $26,726 |
| Engineering, General | $46,800 | $46,800 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $44,400 | $44,400 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,900 | $43,900 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $38,100 | $38,100 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,300 | $32,300 | $25,312 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,283 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- DuBois, PA
- Student Body
- 349 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,428
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,435
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000