Lewis & Clark College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Lewis & Clark College costs about $249,400 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $43,608 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 29 years (20-year ROI: -31%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$249,400
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,608/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
29 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-31%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Lewis & Clark College's in-state tuition is $62,350. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $30,286. Five years after graduation, median earnings rise to $43,608, and ten years after graduation, median earnings are $62,205. The median debt for graduates is $19,500.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings, is approximately 0.64. This indicates that the median debt is about 64% of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, a break-even timeline cannot be accurately calculated. The data does not include the total cost of attendance, including living expenses, or the cost of the degree.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$62,350
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,608
Graduation Rate
72%
Receive Financial Aid
68%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Law | $78,229 | 247% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $58,733 | 90% |
| Psychology, General | $48,023 | 4% |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $40,001 | -60% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $59,896 | 100% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,666 | -79% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $57,895 | 84% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,385 | 47% |
| Economics | $52,177 | 38% |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,271 | 22% |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $0 | N/A |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $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.