Catawba College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$133,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$1,912/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
69.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-71%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Catawba College's in-state tuition is $33,400. One year after graduation, alumni earn $34,621. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $36,912, and after ten years, earnings reach $48,793. The median debt for students is $25,000, and 59.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the one-year earnings are slightly higher than the median debt. The five-year earnings are more than the median debt.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is not directly calculable. However, the one-year earnings are higher than the median debt.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$33,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$36,912
Graduation Rate
54%
Receive Financial Aid
60%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $133,600 | $60,939 | 288% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $133,600 | $30,889 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $133,600 | $38,251 | -51% |
| Music. | $133,600 | $32,378 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $133,600 | $35,984 | -85% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $133,600 | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government. | $133,600 | $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.