Colby 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
$266,400
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$25,052/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
10.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
88%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Colby College graduates earn a median of $43,563. Five years out, earnings increase to $60,052, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $80,490. The annual tuition cost is $66,600. The median debt for graduates is $19,157, and 8.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Colby graduates is favorable. With a median debt of $19,157 and a starting salary of $43,563, the debt is a manageable portion of their income. The relatively high starting salary suggests a positive return on investment for Colby graduates.
Given the earnings data and tuition costs, the break-even timeline, or the time it takes for graduates to earn back their tuition investment, is not easily calculated from the provided data. However, the increasing earnings over time suggest a positive long-term return on investment for Colby College graduates.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$66,600
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,157
Median Earnings (5yr)
$60,052
Graduation Rate
89%
Receive Financial Aid
9%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $102,153 | 404% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $44,699 | -27% |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| International/Global Studies | $62,539 | 107% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $51,623 | 25% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $0 | N/A |
| Area Studies | $48,989 | 5% |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $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.