Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Susquehanna University

Open-data reference.

We found 9 schools structurally similar to Susquehanna University that cost less. 9 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit

$28,819
Net Price
$61,723
Median Earnings (10yr)
81.4%
Acceptance Rate
77.9%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University posts an average net price of $28,819 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Susquehanna University across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 9 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $14,421, achieved by Bowdoin College at $14,398. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 9 of the 9 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Susquehanna University’s $61,723, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $85,289.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

9
Alternatives Found
$14,421
Max Savings
9
Better Value Options
54%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Williams College $89k 2. Wellesley College $85k 3. Washington and Lee Universit $95k 4. Bowdoin College $83k 5. Davidson College $81k Compared to Susquehanna University: $62k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$17,716 -$11,103 $88,665 95.1% 54%
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$25,496 -$3,323 $84,803 91.4% 53%
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$23,781 -$5,038 $94,810 94.4% 51%
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$14,398 -$14,421 $82,735 95.4% 51%
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$17,379 -$11,440 $81,400 91.5% 51%
Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$24,478 -$4,341 $80,928 74.9% 50%
Manhattan University
Riverdale, NY · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$27,256 -$1,563 $86,316 64.8% 44%
University of Portland
Portland, OR · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$28,210 -$609 $82,804 80.1% 44%
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$28,786 -$33 $85,139 90.9% 41%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Susquehanna University are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Susquehanna University?
We found 9 schools similar to Susquehanna University that cost less. The closest match is Williams College with 54% similarity and a net price of $17,716.
What is the ROI of attending Susquehanna University?
Susquehanna University has an average net price of $28,819. Former students earn a median of $61,723 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.1x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Susquehanna University for less money?
Yes - 9 of 9 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Williams College costs $17,716 (saving $11,103) with median earnings of $88,665.
What is the cheapest alternative to Susquehanna University?
The most affordable similar school is Bowdoin College at $14,398, saving $14,421 compared to Susquehanna University. It has a 51% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 9 alternatives have an average median earnings of $85,289 compared to Susquehanna University's $61,723. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.