Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lycoming College #1039 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,506 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lycoming College in the 30.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #899 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #1039 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming College enrolls roughly 996 undergraduates. Retention is 76.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 59.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Lycoming College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #899 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,353, and earn about $6,506 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lycoming College in the 30.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects Lycoming College's strength in Social Sciences, which anchors the institution's economic signature and drives consistent outcomes for graduates entering the regional labor market. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Lycoming College sits in the 36.6 percentile for access and the 41.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 38.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.6% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. Mobility outcomes sit in the 31.6 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's low-income student outcomes and career-path diversity remain areas where peer institutions deliver stronger performance. For families evaluating Lycoming College, the composite reflects a strong return-on-investment story anchored in solid earnings and earnings beyond expectations, balanced against higher pricing and more limited access for low-income students relative to peer institutions.
Lycoming College's published cost of attendance is $64,105. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $12,151, middle-income families pay around $15,883, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,233. Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #841 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the sticker price and the debt load graduates carry, as net price and sticker price can differ substantially, though the gap varies by institution. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,827; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,353, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $42,764 would shift the repayment picture meaningfully. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lycoming College is a strong fit for students interested in the social sciences who want a small private college experience in PA. The college's program mix leans heavily toward Social Sciences, representing 25% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,353, placing Lycoming College in the 32.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $6,506 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the college in the 30.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college serves a mix of traditional and first-generation students — 38.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.6% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $26,233, with median federal debt at graduation of $27,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 74.1% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors liberal arts over professional fields. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes relative to PA's no-degree baseline of $33,196.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Lycoming College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lycoming College's published cost of attendance is $64,105. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $12,151, middle-income families pay around $15,883, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,233.
Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #841 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the sticker price and the debt load graduates carry, as [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), though the gap varies by institution.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,827; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,353, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $42,764 would shift the repayment picture meaningfully.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Lycoming College earn median 4-year earnings of $57,353, placing Lycoming College in the 32.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,506 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lycoming College in the 30.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lycoming College #899 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lycoming College's concentration in social sciences and humanities fields.
Criminology is the largest program with 39 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,144, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 35 students with median 4-year earnings of $49,081, and Business Administration delivers median 4-year earnings of $66,056 across 27 graduates.
Together, these programs anchor the institution's outcomes in fields where Lycoming College consistently supports students into stable career pathways aligned with regional labor markets in Pennsylvania.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Union University Similar quality tier (#29358 ranked) | VA | 98% | $38,275 | #29358 | Compare |
Tiffin University Similar quality tier (#29360 ranked) | OH | 80% | $35,942 | #29360 | Compare |
Queens University Of Charlotte Similar quality tier (#29362 ranked) | NC | 62% | $57,673 | #29362 | Compare |
Claflin University Similar quality tier (#29354 ranked) | SC | 65% | $40,304 | #29354 | Compare |
Moody Bible Institute Similar quality tier (#29363 ranked) | IL | 83% | $45,399 | #29363 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
27 graduates
Biology, General
22 graduates
Criminology
39 graduates
Psychology, General
35 graduates
Economics
12 graduates
Lycoming College's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity and regional positioning. The largest programs by enrollment are Criminology with 39 graduates earning $61,144 four years after enrollment, followed by Psychology, General with 35 graduates earning $49,081, Business Administration with 27 graduates earning $66,056, Biology, General with 22 graduates earning $64,552, and Fine and Studio Arts with 16 graduates earning $34,936.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 236 students annually, the earnings distribution reflects a mix of professional and liberal arts pathways. The highest-earning programs at Lycoming College include Business Administration, where graduates earn $66,056 four years after enrollment, Biology, General with median earnings of $64,552, Criminology earning $61,144, Psychology, General at $49,081, and Fine and Studio Arts at $34,936.
This earnings pattern reflects the institution's strength in fields that combine analytical rigor with direct workforce entry, particularly in business and applied social science tracks where employers recruit actively and early-career compensation remains competitive. Lycoming College's program portfolio emphasizes fields with stable labor-market demand and clear career pathways.
The concentration in Social Sciences at 25%, combined with meaningful enrollment in Business at 20% and Arts at 11%, positions graduates for roles in education, business, public service, and human services sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with national labor-market trends and regional employment opportunities in Pennsylvania.
