California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$44,300
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$37,358/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
1.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
1587%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, alumni of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn a median of $62,831, which is more than five times the in-state tuition cost of $11,075. Five years after graduation, median earnings rise to $72,358, and after ten years, median earnings reach $90,768. The median debt for graduates is $18,500, and 23.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.29. This indicates that the median debt is about 29% of the first year's earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation suggests a break-even point of approximately 0.3 years, meaning graduates can potentially recoup their tuition investment in less than half a year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,075
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$72,358
Graduation Rate
85%
Receive Financial Aid
24%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $44,300 | $85,332 | 2172% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $44,300 | $97,466 | 2720% |
| Biology, General. | $44,300 | $63,237 | 1175% |
| Animal Sciences. | $44,300 | $52,909 | 709% |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | $44,300 | $78,364 | 1858% |
| Civil Engineering. | $44,300 | $91,424 | 2447% |
| Computer Engineering. | $44,300 | $122,307 | 3842% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $44,300 | $99,426 | 2809% |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | $44,300 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $44,300 | $48,589 | 513% |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | $44,300 | $101,270 | 2892% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $44,300 | $55,078 | 806% |
Peer Comparison
1587%
20yr ROI
790%
20yr ROI
260%
20yr ROI
1025%
20yr ROI
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.