Illinois State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$64,084
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$15,599/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
387%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Illinois State University's in-state tuition costs $16,021 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $46,159. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $50,599, and after ten years, earnings reach $62,117. The median debt for graduates is $20,482, and 45.4% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the median debt and one-year earnings, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.44. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $20,482 by the one-year earnings of $46,159.
Given the median debt and the difference between one-year earnings and tuition costs, the break-even point is approximately 0.6 years. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $20,482 by the difference between one-year earnings of $46,159 and the tuition cost of $16,021.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,021
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,482
Median Earnings (5yr)
$50,599
Graduation Rate
67%
Receive Financial Aid
45%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $64,084 | $44,069 | 183% |
| Marketing. | $64,084 | $63,704 | 796% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $64,084 | $72,770 | 1079% |
| Agriculture, General. | $64,084 | $54,069 | 495% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $64,084 | $72,761 | 1078% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $64,084 | $49,576 | 355% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $64,084 | $72,270 | 1063% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $64,084 | $54,043 | 494% |
| Special Education and Teaching. | $64,084 | $49,411 | 350% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $64,084 | $47,981 | 305% |
| Psychology, General. | $64,084 | $49,195 | 343% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $64,084 | $62,470 | 757% |
Peer Comparison
387%
20yr ROI
516%
20yr ROI
769%
20yr ROI
861%
20yr ROI
400%
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.