Kalamazoo College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$235,056
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,137/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
21.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-5%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Kalamazoo College's high tuition cost of $58,764 contrasts with its graduates' earnings. One year after graduation, the median salary is $33,339. However, this increases to $46,137 after five years and $65,590 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $26,077, and 46.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year post-graduation salary. The ratio is approximately 0.78. The break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, can be estimated by dividing the tuition by the annual salary increase. The increase between the one-year and ten-year salary is $32,251. This suggests a break-even timeline of approximately 1.8 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$58,764
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,077
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,137
Graduation Rate
81%
Receive Financial Aid
47%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $64,986 | 155% |
| Psychology, General | $44,351 | -20% |
| Biology, General | $37,579 | -78% |
| Chemistry | $75,833 | 247% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| Social Sciences, Other | $42,198 | -39% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,257 | 21% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Economics | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| History | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $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.