Macalester College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,632
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,244/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
23.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-13%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Macalester College's in-state tuition is $64,908. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $34,157. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $46,244, and after ten years, they reach $63,878. The median debt for graduates is $23,000, and 37.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Macalester graduates is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the median debt of $23,000 can be compared to the earnings to provide context. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $34,157, which is more than the median debt.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the initial tuition cost, is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the tuition cost of $64,908 is higher than the one-year and five-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$64,908
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,244
Graduation Rate
89%
Receive Financial Aid
38%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
| Economics. | $259,632 | $83,794 | 276% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $259,632 | $104,215 | 433% |
| Biology, General. | $259,632 | $47,854 | -1% |
| Political Science and Government. | $259,632 | $47,677 | -2% |
| International/Global Studies. | $259,632 | $42,520 | -42% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
| Geography and Cartography. | $259,632 | $41,857 | -47% |
| Physics. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
| Chemistry. | $259,632 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
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.