Clayton State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$20,272
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,633/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
554%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The one-year return on investment for Clayton State University is approximately 8 times the tuition cost, with earnings of $40,178 compared to in-state tuition of $5,068. The five-year earnings are $41,633, and the ten-year earnings are $49,179. The median debt for students is $25,706, and 40.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the one-year earnings are significantly higher than the median debt, suggesting a favorable debt-to-income ratio. The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$5,068
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,706
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,633
Graduation Rate
35%
Receive Financial Aid
40%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $20,272 | $46,293 | 1014% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $20,272 | $84,778 | 4811% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | $20,272 | $0 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $20,272 | $41,898 | 581% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $20,272 | $39,356 | 330% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $20,272 | $64,768 | 2837% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $20,272 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | $20,272 | $43,355 | 724% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $20,272 | $46,793 | 1063% |
| Biology, General. | $20,272 | $47,292 | 1113% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | $20,272 | $56,585 | 2030% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $20,272 | $57,964 | 2166% |
Peer Comparison
554%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
238%
20yr ROI
229%
20yr ROI
269%
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.