Plymouth State University
Plymouth State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Plymouth State University at a Glance
Plymouth State University, formerly Plymouth State College, is a public university in Plymouth, New Hampshire, United States. The school was founded as Plymouth Normal School in 1871. Since that time, it has evolved to a teachers college, a state college, and finally to a state university in 2003. PSU is part of the University System of New Hampshire.
1871
155 years old
3,707
3,182 undergrad · 525 grad
170 acres
Identity
Is Plymouth State University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Plymouth State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,304 — 7% above average — while paying $19,216/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 Plymouth State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Plymouth State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #83 of 127 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #83 | Plymouth State University | 37 | $19,216 | $57,304 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Plymouth State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NH.
Best Programs at Plymouth State University
The highest-earning program at Plymouth State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Plymouth State University earns $61,500, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $22,400. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $23,644 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,216/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 | $61,500 | $61,500 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $26,250 |
| Marketing | $44,700 | $44,700 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,100 | $38,100 | $26,928 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,100 | $36,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,000 | $35,000 | $26,974 |
| Social Work | $33,200 | $33,200 | $25,974 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,400 | $30,400 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,200 | $30,200 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,700 | $27,700 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,100 | $23,100 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,400 | $22,400 | $23,644 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Plymouth, NH
- Student Body
- 3,153 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,216
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,304
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000