College ROI Calculator

It depends on your major, school costs, and career path. On average, college graduates earn $1M+ more over their lifetime than high school graduates. However, high student debt, low-paying majors, or expensive private schools can make the ROI negative. STEM, business, and healthcare majors typically have the best financial returns.

An ROI above 100% means you'll earn back double what you invested. ROI above 50% is generally considered good. Anything below 0% means you would have been better off financially without the education. The average 4-year degree has ~300% ROI, but this varies enormously by major and school.

Coding bootcamps can offer excellent ROI (often 200-400%) due to low costs ($10-20K), short duration (3-6 months), and high starting salaries ($60-80K). However, they're specific to tech careers and lack the broader education, networking, and credential signaling of a degree.

Opportunity cost is the money you could have earned if you worked instead of attending school. A 4-year degree means 4 years of forgone earnings ($30K-50K/year). This "hidden cost" is often ignored but can be larger than tuition for expensive programs.

Elite schools show minimal earnings premium for most students compared to state schools. Exceptions: business, law, and prestige-dependent fields. The main factors affecting earnings are your major, skills, and network - not the school name. Avoid taking on $200K debt for a $50K/year career.

Trade schools can be excellent investments: lower costs ($5-15K), shorter duration (6-24 months), and starting salaries of $40-60K+ for skilled trades. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians often out-earn many college graduates while having less debt.

ROI = (Lifetime Earnings Premium - Total Cost) / Total Cost × 100. Include: tuition, fees, living expenses, interest on loans, and opportunity cost. Compare to what you'd earn with just a high school diploma in your field. Our calculator does this automatically.

Dropping out is often the worst financial outcome: you have the debt but not the degree's earning premium. If you're struggling, consider: community college credits, part-time enrollment, or vocational certificates that provide credentials without a full degree.