Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango at a Glance
Penn State Shenango is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University that is located in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Penn State Shenango is the only urban campus in the Penn State system, although some parts of Penn State Altoona that are located in the heart of Altoona's downtown are urban in nature. In May 2025, the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University announced the closure of seven of its twenty regional Commonwealth campuses after the Spring 2027 semester, including Penn …
1965
61 years old
264
264 undergrad
5 acres
Identity
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,435 — 18% above average — while paying $18,095/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 33% 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 92% 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 Shenango has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #3 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 | Ohio University-Eastern Campus | 68 | $3,925 | $52,581 |
| #2 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly | 39 | $14,596 | $63,435 |
| #3 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango | 29 | $18,095 | $63,435 |
| #4 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois | 29 | $17,428 | $63,435 |
| #5 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | 24 | $15,521 | $63,435 |
| #6 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre | 19 | $16,448 | $63,435 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in PA.
Best Programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango
The highest-earning program at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,800/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 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango earns $67,800, 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $27,283 for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,095/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 |
| 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
- Sharon, PA
- Student Body
- 256 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,095
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,435
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000