Eastern Kentucky 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
$40,520
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,611/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
11.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
78%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Eastern Kentucky University's in-state tuition costs $10,130. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $39,393. Five years after graduation, earnings are $38,611, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,795. The median debt for graduates is $22,500, and 42.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.57. To calculate the break-even point, the median debt is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,130
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,611
Graduation Rate
50%
Receive Financial Aid
43%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $144,401 | 5300% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,270 | 259% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,573 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $33,394 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $64,936 | 1378% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,444 | 267% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $83,181 | 2278% |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $83,606 | 2299% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,703 | 280% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $39,222 | 108% |
| Biology, General | $39,985 | 146% |
| Public Health | $52,560 | 767% |
Peer Comparison
78%
20yr ROI
86%
20yr ROI
119%
20yr ROI
53%
20yr ROI
79%
20yr ROI
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.