Adams State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$39,104
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,338/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
11.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
71%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Adams State University's in-state tuition costs $9,776. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $40,358. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $38,338, but increase to $44,372 ten years after graduation. The median debt for students is $19,500, and 33.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.48. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
To calculate the break-even timeline, we divide the tuition cost by the difference between the one-year earnings and the median debt. The break-even point is approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,776
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,338
Graduation Rate
30%
Receive Financial Aid
33%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,802 | 146% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $51,714 | 755% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $47,305 | 529% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $52,594 | 800% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $34,394 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $0 | N/A |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,617 | 1466% |
| Music | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.