Catawba 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
$133,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$1,912/yr
above 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, which increases to $36,912 after five years and $48,793 after ten years. The median debt for students is $25,000, and 59.8% of students receive financial aid.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline. The provided earnings data is not sufficient to determine the time it takes for graduates to earn back their tuition costs.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,939 | 288% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,889 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Music | $32,378 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,251 | -51% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $35,984 | -85% |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $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.