Head-to-head · 2026
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly
Compare average net price ($6,200 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; $14,596 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly), ROI score (15.63 vs 10.87), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,752 vs $63,435), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; 95.5% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.63 ✓ | 10.87 |
| Avg net price | $6,200 ✓ | $14,596 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,800 ✓ | $58,384 |
| In-state tuition | $7,110 | $14,408 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,350 | $24,134 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,752 | $63,435 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 95.5% |
| Graduation rate | 38.3% | 38.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 58.6% | 77.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 ✓ | $25,000 |
| Enrollment | 788 | 402 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1170 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,945 ✓ | $9,445 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,079 ✓ | $8,574 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,693 ✓ | $11,644 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,715 ✓ | $13,165 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,042 ✓ | $22,545 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 12.2% | 24.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.2% | 1.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.2% | 8.7% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 2.9% | 7% |
| Psychology, General | 4.2% | 4.4% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 2.2% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,396 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,584 difference over four years ($24,800 vs $58,384).
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly reports $24,683 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,435 vs $38,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 58.6% at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and 77.8% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $25,000, respectively.
6 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,200 per year vs $14,596 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly. The annual difference of $8,396 adds up to about $33,584 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,435 vs $38,752 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The gap in the federal data is $24,683. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.