Amherst College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$269,120
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$27,537/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
9.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
105%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Amherst College's high tuition of $67,280 is offset by strong earnings potential for graduates. One year after graduation, the median salary is $47,401. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $62,537, and after ten years, the median salary is $77,644. The median debt for students is $13,740, and 8.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Amherst graduates is favorable. With a median debt of $13,740 and a starting salary of $47,401, the debt represents a small fraction of annual earnings. The break-even timeline, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of tuition, is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the high earnings potential suggests a relatively short break-even period.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$67,280
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,740
Median Earnings (5yr)
$62,537
Graduation Rate
93%
Receive Financial Aid
9%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $127,636 | 588% |
| Mathematics | $109,199 | 451% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $59,433 | 82% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,206 | 6% |
| History | $114,276 | 489% |
| Area Studies | $49,923 | 11% |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $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.