Bates College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$253,912
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$24,202/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
10.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
91%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Bates College is $63,478. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $42,831. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $59,202, and after ten years, the median salary is $69,498. The median debt for graduates is $14,275.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is favorable. The median debt of $14,275 is significantly less than the one-year post-graduation salary of $42,831.
Given the tuition cost and earnings data, 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 data suggests that graduates experience a positive return on investment over time, as their earnings increase significantly in the years following graduation.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$63,478
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,275
Median Earnings (5yr)
$59,202
Graduation Rate
92%
Receive Financial Aid
15%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government. | $253,912 | $62,940 | 120% |
| Economics. | $253,912 | $90,762 | 339% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $253,912 | $47,210 | -4% |
| Biology, General. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
| History. | $253,912 | $74,121 | 208% |
| Philosophy. | $253,912 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
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.