Ferris State 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
$54,520
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,339/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
353%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Ferris State University alumni earn a median of $49,361, which is more than three and a half times the annual in-state tuition cost of $13,630. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease slightly to $47,339, but increase again to $54,735 ten years after graduation. The median debt for students is $21,000, and 47% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings, is approximately 0.43. This indicates that the median debt is about 43% of the first year's earnings.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for a graduate's increased earnings to offset the cost of tuition, is less than one year. The one-year post-graduation earnings are significantly higher than the annual tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$13,630
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,339
Graduation Rate
49%
Receive Financial Aid
47%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,930 | 778% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $104,386 | 2445% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $83,779 | 1689% |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $81,758 | 1615% |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $77,264 | 1450% |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $128,881 | 3344% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $51,123 | 491% |
| Social Work | $59,534 | 800% |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $46,406 | 318% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,538 | 800% |
| Precision Metal Working | $77,380 | 1455% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,116 | 124% |
Peer Comparison
353%
20yr ROI
386%
20yr ROI
362%
20yr ROI
364%
20yr ROI
407%
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.