Governors State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$45,280
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,435/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
361%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Governors State University's in-state tuition costs $11,320. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $43,030. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,435, and after ten years, earnings reach $58,169. The median debt for graduates is $18,618.
The debt-to-income ratio, comparing the median debt to the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.43. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $18,618 by the one-year earnings of $43,030.
To calculate the break-even point, the median debt of $18,618 is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings of $43,030 and the tuition cost of $11,320. This results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.59 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,320
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,618
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,435
Graduation Rate
20%
Receive Financial Aid
40%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $45,280 | $37,766 | 22% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $45,280 | $55,440 | 803% |
| Psychology, General. | $45,280 | $43,117 | 259% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $45,280 | $51,833 | 644% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $45,280 | $62,346 | 1108% |
| Public Health. | $45,280 | $33,380 | N/A |
| Social Work. | $45,280 | $51,516 | 630% |
| Social Work. | $45,280 | $42,372 | 226% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $45,280 | $44,438 | 317% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $45,280 | $56,435 | 847% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $45,280 | $97,713 | 2670% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | $45,280 | $55,374 | 800% |
Peer Comparison
361%
20yr ROI
306%
20yr ROI
273%
20yr ROI
395%
20yr ROI
382%
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.