Students at Lackawanna College benefit from exceptional access and the close-knit support system that defines small private institutions.
The college prioritizes serving students who might not find opportunities elsewhere, creating pathways to college completion for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Lackawanna College is a small private nonprofit institution in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that serves a student population where access and support take priority over maximum financial returns. With 58% of students receiving Pell Grants and 47% being first-generation college students, Lackawanna opens its doors to students who might not find opportunities elsewhere. The college ranks in the bottom quartile nationally for earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $41,000 ten years after enrollment.
What defines Lackawanna's mission is its commitment to serving students from challenging backgrounds. Nearly one in five students transfers in from other institutions, suggesting the college serves as a second-chance opportunity for many. The completion rate of 38% over six years reflects the academic and financial challenges many students face, though the college continues to graduate students who might not succeed elsewhere.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in Azimuth's mobility framework, Lackawanna combines high access with more modest outcomes. For families prioritizing affordability and a supportive small-college environment over maximum earning potential, Lackawanna offers a path to a college degree with net prices around $23,000 for low-income students and manageable debt levels for most graduates.
Without detailed program-level data available, Lackawanna College's academic offerings appear focused on providing broad-based education rather than specialized high-earning tracks. The college's small size and regional mission suggest programs are designed to serve local workforce needs in northeastern Pennsylvania, preparing students for stable careers in fields that may not generate the highest earnings but provide meaningful employment opportunities.
The absence of standout high-earning programs reflects the college's access-focused mission rather than a concentration on maximizing graduate earnings. Students likely choose Lackawanna for the supportive environment and personal attention rather than specific program prestige, with academic offerings designed to serve students who benefit from smaller class sizes and individualized faculty relationships.
This approach aligns with the college's role as a pathway institution, where the value lies in providing educational opportunities and degree completion support for students who might struggle in larger, more competitive environments. The college's strength appears to be in creating conditions for student success rather than channeling graduates into specific high-return career tracks.
Graduates of Lackawanna College see modest long-term earnings that reflect both the institution's mission and the backgrounds of students it serves. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $41,000, placing the college in the bottom quintile nationally for earnings outcomes. About 55 students in recent cohorts earn more than $75,000 annually, showing that strong individual outcomes are possible, though less common than at higher-earning institutions.
The college's earnings outcomes align with its role as an access-focused institution serving many first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Graduates earn slightly less than what statistical models would predict based on student characteristics, with earnings running about $472 below expectations compared with similar students at other institutions. This pattern is typical among colleges that prioritize access over selectivity, where the mission centers on providing opportunities rather than maximizing financial returns.
Without detailed program-level data available, the overall earnings picture suggests Lackawanna prepares students for stable, middle-income careers rather than high-earning professional tracks. The college's small size and regional focus likely connect graduates to local employment opportunities in northeastern Pennsylvania, where the cost of living may help earnings stretch further than in higher-cost metropolitan areas.
Affordability at Lackawanna College is structured to serve students from modest economic backgrounds, with net prices that remain relatively consistent across income levels. Low-income students pay about $23,309 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $24,822, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,586. This compressed pricing structure reflects the college's commitment to access, though it places Lackawanna in the bottom quintile nationally for affordability relative to outcomes.
Debt levels are manageable for most students who complete their degrees. Typical graduates leave with about $18,075 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the college's focus on serving students who might not have other higher education options. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,317, suggesting families contribute directly to college costs when they can, though at levels that remain within reach for middle-class households.
The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates, despite modest earnings, are generally able to meet their repayment obligations. This suggests that while earnings may be lower than at other institutions, the debt burden remains proportional to what graduates can realistically handle in their early careers.
Lackawanna College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
