Augustana College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Augustana College costs about $199,336 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $49,849 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 13.4 years (20-year ROI: 49%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$199,336
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$14,849/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
13.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
49%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Augustana College's in-state tuition costs $49,834. One year after graduation, alumni earn $38,767. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $49,849, and ten years after, earnings reach $62,971. The median debt for students is $27,000, and 58.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, comparing the median debt to the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.7. This means the median debt is about 70% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can compare the total cost of tuition to the earnings increase over time. The tuition cost is $49,834. The earnings increase from year one to year five is $11,082. The earnings increase from year one to year ten is $24,204.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$49,834
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$49,849
Graduation Rate
78%
Receive Financial Aid
58%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | $51,641 | 67% |
| Psychology, General | $50,244 | 53% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,269 | 224% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,612 | 277% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,732 | 78% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,965 | 30% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,929 | 20% |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $40,940 | -40% |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $53,548 | 86% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,024 | 1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,798 | -32% |
| Geography and Cartography | $0 | N/A |
| International Business | $0 | N/A |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $0 | N/A |
| Engineering Physics | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology | $43,344 | -16% |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $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.