Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus— Earnings & Cost Trends

Graduate Earnings
$50,100
in 2015+5% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
$42K$46K$49K$52K$55K20082010201220142015$48K$50K
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
$21K$24K$28K$32K$36K20102012201420162018202020242025$23K$33K
Graduation Rate Over Time
100%100%100%100%100%1998200020022004200620082010201220142016201820202024202581%86%

Key Insights

  • Earnings grew 5% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
  • Net price increased 44% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
  • Graduation rate improved by 5 percentage points since 1998

Year-by-Year Data

YearEarningsNet PriceGrad RateDebt
199881%$7,212
199980%$8,060
200080%$8,875
200180%$9,625
200281%$10,500
200380%$11,000
200482%$11,000
200583%$11,625
200684%$12,500
200785%$12,500
2008$47,70084%$11,750
200985%$12,120
2010$47,200$22,87085%$14,000
2011$23,53085%$15,125
2012$47,500$25,07087%$16,718
2013$47,700$26,17986%$18,250
2014$48,500$27,03285%$19,000
2015$50,100$28,20186%$19,500
2016$29,22686%$19,500
2017$29,80686%$19,500
2018$30,37385%$19,500
2019$30,99685%$19,500
2020$27,34371%$19,500
2023$32,22383%
2024$32,60686%
2025$32,87586%