Hamilton College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$262,960
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$25,082/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
10.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
91%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Hamilton College's high tuition of $65,740 is offset by strong earnings potential for graduates. One year after graduation, the median salary is $47,320, increasing to $60,082 after five years and $78,411 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $17,000, with 30.7% of students receiving financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Hamilton College graduates is favorable, given the relatively low debt compared to the earnings potential. While a break-even timeline cannot be precisely calculated without additional data, the increasing salary trajectory suggests a relatively short period to recover the initial investment in tuition.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$65,740
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$60,082
Graduation Rate
92%
Receive Financial Aid
31%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | $262,960 | $94,218 | 350% |
| Mathematics. | $262,960 | $79,932 | 242% |
| Political Science and Government. | $262,960 | $69,934 | 166% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | $262,960 | $57,565 | 72% |
| Literature. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $262,960 | $0 | N/A |
| Public Policy Analysis. | $262,960 | $0 | 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.