Illinois 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
$64,084
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$15,599/yr
above 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 ten years after graduation, earnings reach $62,117. The median debt for graduates is $20,482, and 45.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.44. This indicates that the median debt is about 44% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can estimate the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition. Comparing the first-year earnings to the tuition cost, it would take less than a year for the additional earnings to exceed the tuition cost.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,069 | 183% |
| Marketing | $63,704 | 796% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $92,203 | 1685% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,770 | 1079% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $111,270 | 2280% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,565 | 1384% |
| Agriculture, General | $54,069 | 495% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,947 | 398% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $49,411 | 350% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,981 | 305% |
| Psychology, General | $49,195 | 343% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,043 | 494% |
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)
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.