Lees-McRae 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
$124,560
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,599/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
18.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
6%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Lees-McRae College's in-state tuition is $31,140. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $38,074. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $41,599, and after ten years, earnings reach $43,415. The median debt for graduates is $17,375, and 86.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year earnings. The ratio is approximately 0.46, meaning the median debt is about 46% of the first-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, a basic break-even timeline can be estimated. With a starting salary of $38,074 and a tuition cost of $31,140, the tuition cost is recouped in less than one year. However, this does not account for living expenses, interest on debt, or other costs.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$31,140
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,375
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,599
Graduation Rate
45%
Receive Financial Aid
87%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,811 | N/A |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $33,123 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,955 | 509% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,705 | -41% |
| Human Services, General | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,864 | 203% |
| Psychology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $0 | N/A |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $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.