Colorado College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$271,728
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,611/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
21.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-7%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Colorado College's high tuition cost of $67,932 contrasts with its graduates' initial earnings. One year after graduation, the median salary is $33,261. However, this increases to $47,611 after five years and $65,222 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $18,257, and 24.3% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Colorado College graduates can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year earnings. The ratio is approximately 0.55. This suggests that the debt burden is relatively manageable compared to the initial earnings.
Based on the provided data, a break-even timeline cannot be accurately determined. The data lacks information on living expenses and the total cost of attendance, which are critical for calculating the time it takes for graduates to recoup their investment in education.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$67,932
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,257
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,611
Graduation Rate
86%
Receive Financial Aid
24%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | $271,728 | $79,354 | 226% |
| Political Science and Government. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Physics. | $271,728 | $0 | N/A |
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.