Columbia 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
$85,800
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,863/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
7.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
153%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Columbia College's in-state tuition is $21,450. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $42,036. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,863, but decrease to $41,338 ten years after graduation. The median debt for graduates is $22,750, and 70% 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 0.54. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, cannot be accurately calculated with the available data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$21,450
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,863
Graduation Rate
54%
Receive Financial Aid
70%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,561 | 309% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,511 | 331% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,568 | N/A |
| Homeland Security | $0 | N/A |
| Education, Other | $45,631 | 148% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $33,670 | N/A |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $0 | N/A |
| Social Work | $35,384 | -91% |
| Education, General | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $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.