Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
Slippery Rock University, formally Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, is a public university in the Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania area of the United States. SRU is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The university has been coeducational since its founding in 1889. SRU is fully accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Learning.
1889
137 years old
8,625
7,088 undergrad · 1,537 grad
660 acres
Identity
Is Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania offers moderate value at $19,608/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,032, which is 1% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #42 of 110 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #3 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #4 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Pasco-Hernando State College | 80 | $5,203 | $39,903 |
| #42 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 44 | $19,608 | $53,032 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in PA.
Best Programs at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $19,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania earns $63,000, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $19,100. 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 $15,750 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,608/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 | $63,000 | $63,000 | $15,750 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $57,900 | $57,900 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $50,800 | $50,800 | $25,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $43,200 | $43,200 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,900 | $36,900 | $20,094 |
| Biology, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,000 | $35,000 | $22,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,250 |
| Mathematics | $33,200 | $33,200 | $24,275 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $32,600 | $32,600 | $23,250 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $31,600 | $31,600 | $27,000 |
| Public Health | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,586 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $30,200 | $30,200 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,800 | $29,800 | $26,704 |
| History | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,500 |
| Social Work | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,200 | $29,200 | $26,967 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,800 | $28,800 | $25,250 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $28,600 | $28,600 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,900 | $27,900 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,100 | $19,100 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Slippery Rock, PA
- Student Body
- 6,788 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,608
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,032
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000