Johnson C Smith 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
$81,920
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-3,522/yr
below high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-186%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Johnson C Smith University is $20,480. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $31,047. Five years after graduation, earnings are $31,478, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $42,680. The median debt for graduates is $30,000, and 73.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, comparing the median debt to the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.96. The five-year earnings are only slightly higher than the one-year earnings. The ten-year earnings are significantly higher than the one-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 2.9 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their median debt, assuming they earn the one-year earnings amount.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$20,480
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$31,478
Graduation Rate
38%
Receive Financial Aid
74%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $46,470 | 180% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,977 | -27% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,843 | N/A |
| Criminology | $35,897 | -78% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,625 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,628 | 379% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
| Computer Engineering | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
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.