Calculate whether your college or graduate degree is worth the investment. Find out the payback period and lifetime return on your education costs.
304% lifetime ROI
| Annual Salary Premium | $30,000 |
| Opportunity Cost | $180,000 |
| Total Education Investment | $260,000 |
| Payback Period | 8.7 years |
| Lifetime Earnings Premium | $1,050,000 |
| Net Lifetime Gain | $790,000 |
| Lifetime ROI | 304% |
Instant delivery · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
No spam, ever. We only email you about topics you care about. Unsubscribe anytime.
Total Cost = Education Costs + Opportunity Cost
Payback = Total Cost ÷ Annual Salary Premium
ROI = (Lifetime Premium − Total Cost) ÷ Total Cost
ROI = (Lifetime Earnings Premium − Total Education Cost) ÷ Total Education Cost × 100. Also measure payback period: Total Cost ÷ Annual Salary Premium.
Bachelor's degree holders earn about $32,000 more per year than high school graduates on average, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
It depends on the field. MBA, medical, and law degrees typically have strong ROI. Some liberal arts master's degrees may not recover costs for 20+ years.
Include tuition, fees, books, room and board, and lost income opportunity (what you'd have earned working instead of studying).
Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.