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Return on Investment Analysis

Clemson University ROI Analysis

Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.

Quick answer

USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Clemson University costs about $62,216 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $58,311 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 2.7 years (20-year ROI: 649%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$62,216

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$23,311/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

2.7 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

649%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

Clemson University's in-state tuition costs $15,554. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $51,401. Five years after graduation, alumni earn $58,311, and ten years after graduation, alumni earn $71,513. The median debt for students is $21,500, and 33% of students receive financial aid.

The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings. Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.42.

To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.6 years.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$15,554

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

Median Earnings (5yr)

$58,311

Graduation Rate

87%

Receive Financial Aid

33%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $62,216 $90,367 1680%
Biology, General $62,216 $63,292 809%
Industrial Engineering $62,216 $83,583 1462%
Marketing $62,216 $62,978 799%
Psychology, General $62,216 $46,792 279%
Mechanical Engineering $62,216 $79,302 1324%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $62,216 $101,489 2037%
Accounting and Related Services $62,216 $77,031 1251%
Computer and Information Sciences, General $62,216 $100,006 1990%
Civil Engineering $62,216 $79,082 1317%
Finance and Financial Management Services $62,216 $71,621 1077%
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management $62,216 $40,638 81%
Biomedical/Medical Engineering $62,216 $73,586 1140%
Economics $62,216 $55,077 545%
Education, General $62,216 $0 N/A
Animal Sciences $62,216 $42,978 156%
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $62,216 $83,410 1456%
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other $62,216 $62,160 773%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $62,216 $42,564 143%
Political Science and Government $62,216 $57,948 638%
Design and Applied Arts $62,216 $51,270 423%
English Language and Literature, General $62,216 $40,400 74%
Agricultural Business and Management $62,216 $58,873 667%
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies $62,216 $75,908 1215%

Peer Comparison

Clemson University Current

649%

20yr ROI

University of California-Davis

669%

20yr ROI

University of Maryland Global Campus

1342%

20yr ROI

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

597%

20yr ROI

University of Minnesota-Rochester

698%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$62,216
Median Debt$21,500

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$62,216

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, Clemson University has an estimated 20-year ROI of 649%. The total 4-year cost is $62,216 and graduates earn a median of $58,311 within 5 years.

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.

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