East Carolina University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$29,444
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,420/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
676%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
East Carolina University's in-state tuition is $7,361. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $44,602. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $46,420, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $55,146. The median debt for graduates is $22,750, and 40.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.51. This means the median debt is about half of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt of $22,750 is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings of $44,602 and the tuition cost of $7,361, which is $37,241. The break-even timeline is approximately 0.61 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,361
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,420
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
40%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $29,444 | $66,390 | 2032% |
| Public Health. | $29,444 | $43,026 | 445% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $29,444 | $48,249 | 800% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $29,444 | $55,907 | 1320% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $29,444 | $40,587 | 280% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $29,444 | $80,422 | 2985% |
| Marketing. | $29,444 | $60,002 | 1598% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $29,444 | $41,251 | 325% |
| Psychology, General. | $29,444 | $41,111 | 315% |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | $29,444 | $66,262 | 2023% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $29,444 | $47,167 | 726% |
| Biology, General. | $29,444 | $47,217 | 730% |
Peer Comparison
676%
20yr ROI
679%
20yr ROI
340%
20yr ROI
294%
20yr ROI
587%
20yr ROI
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.