Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,435 — 18% above average — while paying $19,454/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 29% 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 98% 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 Mont Alto has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #18 of 28 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 Maine at Fort Kent | 68 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| #2 | Ohio University-Eastern Campus | 68 | $3,925 | $52,581 |
| #3 | Wright State University-Lake Campus | 47 | $11,081 | $49,500 |
| #4 | Ohio University-Zanesville Campus | 45 | $5,746 | $52,581 |
| #5 | Ohio University-Southern Campus | 44 | $5,993 | $52,581 |
| #6 | Potomac State College of West Virginia University | 43 | $9,197 | $55,939 |
| #18 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto | 24 | $19,454 | $63,435 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in PA.
Best Programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto
The highest-earning program at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $27,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto earns $67,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $27,300. 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 $21,500 in median debt vs. $26,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,454/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 | $67,800 | $67,800 | $21,500 |
| Information Science/Studies | $59,700 | $59,700 | $26,726 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,900 | $43,900 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $38,100 | $38,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $33,500 | $33,500 | $25,468 |
| 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 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $26,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mont Alto, PA
- Student Body
- 559 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,454
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,435
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000