Clemson University ROI Analysis
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
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 | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $90,367 | 1680% |
| Biology, General | $63,292 | 809% |
| Industrial Engineering | $83,583 | 1462% |
| Marketing | $62,978 | 799% |
| Psychology, General | $46,792 | 279% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,302 | 1324% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $101,489 | 2037% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,031 | 1251% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $100,006 | 1990% |
| Civil Engineering | $79,082 | 1317% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,621 | 1077% |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $40,638 | 81% |
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.