Berea 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
$197,304
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$676/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
291.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-93%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Berea College's high tuition cost of $49,326 contrasts with graduates' earnings. One year after graduation, the median salary is $26,841. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $35,676, and after ten years, it reaches $43,150. The median debt for graduates is $3,591, and 12% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $3,591 and the one-year post-graduation salary of $26,841, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.13. This indicates a relatively low debt burden compared to initial earnings.
With a starting salary of $26,841 and a median debt of $3,591, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the debt, is less than a year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$49,326
Median Debt at Graduation
$3,591
Median Earnings (5yr)
$35,676
Graduation Rate
62%
Receive Financial Aid
12%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $65,907 | 213% |
| Biology, General | $29,333 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,291 | -77% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $0 | N/A |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $35,360 | -96% |
| Engineering Technology, General | $47,801 | 30% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $0 | N/A |
| Education, General | $33,882 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $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.