Ashford 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
$52,640
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-1,603/yr
below high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-161%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Ashford University in San Diego, a private for-profit institution, has a student body of 23,734. The graduation rate is 9.3%, with a retention rate of 30.7%. The in-state tuition cost is $13,160. The one-year earnings after graduation is $47,447, decreasing to $33,397 at five years, and increasing slightly to $35,404 at ten years.
The median debt for Ashford University graduates is $31,250, with 35.8% of students receiving financial aid. Comparing tuition to earnings, the one-year earnings are significantly higher than the tuition cost. However, the five-year earnings are lower than the one-year earnings.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$13,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$33,397
Graduation Rate
9%
Receive Financial Aid
36%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,002 | 774% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,931 | 201% |
| Psychology, General | $36,510 | -43% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $53,669 | 609% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,544 | 339% |
| Education, General | $39,817 | 83% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $50,031 | 471% |
| Behavioral Sciences | $35,778 | -70% |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $58,231 | 783% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,351 | 407% |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | $34,804 | N/A |
| Special Education and Teaching | $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.