Clemson University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$62,216
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$23,311/yr
vs 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 income. For Clemson, this ratio is approximately 0.42. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to equal the cost of tuition, is approximately 0.3 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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $62,216 | $58,834 | 666% |
| Psychology, General. | $62,216 | $46,792 | 279% |
| Biology, General. | $62,216 | $55,365 | 555% |
| Marketing. | $62,216 | $62,978 | 799% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $62,216 | $79,302 | 1324% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $62,216 | $90,367 | 1680% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $62,216 | $71,621 | 1077% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $62,216 | $62,892 | 797% |
| Industrial Engineering. | $62,216 | $83,583 | 1462% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $62,216 | $100,006 | 1990% |
| Education, General. | $62,216 | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $62,216 | $69,904 | 1022% |
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.