Ball 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
$43,032
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,394/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
337%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual in-state tuition at Ball State University is $10,758. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $42,646. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $44,394, and ten years after, they reach $51,833. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, and 72.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.54. This suggests that the median debt is about half of the first year's earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can estimate the time it takes for the additional earnings after graduation to cover the tuition cost. The difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost is roughly $31,888. Dividing the median debt of $23,250 by this difference, the break-even point is approximately 0.73 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,758
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,394
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
73%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching | $62,055 | 1157% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $52,492 | 713% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,971 | 503% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $100,485 | 2944% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,496 | 155% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $100,064 | 2924% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,971 | 782% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,355 | 474% |
| Biology, General | $46,391 | 429% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $71,602 | 1601% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $46,783 | 448% |
| Marketing | $55,837 | 868% |
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.