Guilford College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$164,560
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$5,401/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
30.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-34%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Guilford College's in-state tuition is $41,140. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $31,217. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $40,401, and after ten years, earnings reach $47,590. The median debt for graduates is $26,000, and 54.1% of students receive financial aid.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline. The one-year post-graduation earnings are less than the tuition cost, but the five-year earnings are close to the tuition cost. The ten-year earnings are higher than the tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$41,140
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$40,401
Graduation Rate
49%
Receive Financial Aid
54%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $164,560 | $56,614 | 163% |
| Psychology, General. | $164,560 | $39,372 | -47% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $164,560 | $38,932 | -52% |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | $164,560 | $37,576 | -69% |
| Biology, General. | $164,560 | $37,840 | -65% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $164,560 | $40,054 | -39% |
| Political Science and Government. | $164,560 | $43,454 | 3% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $164,560 | $52,677 | 115% |
| Economics. | $164,560 | $53,448 | 124% |
| History. | $164,560 | $36,341 | -84% |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $164,560 | $29,444 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | $164,560 | $25,345 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
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.