Michigan State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$63,952
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,084/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
528%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Michigan State University's in-state tuition costs $15,988. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $50,898. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $55,084, and after ten years, earnings reach $67,253. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, and 33.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates is approximately 0.46, calculated by dividing the median debt of $23,250 by the one-year earnings of $50,898. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, is less than one year, based on the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$15,988
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,084
Graduation Rate
82%
Receive Financial Aid
33%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $63,952 | $57,693 | 610% |
| Medicine. | $63,952 | $126,484 | 2761% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $63,952 | $79,719 | 1299% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $63,952 | $55,915 | 554% |
| Biology, General. | $63,952 | $58,207 | 626% |
| Psychology, General. | $63,952 | $47,242 | 283% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $63,952 | $79,866 | 1303% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $63,952 | $121,188 | 2595% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $63,952 | $52,910 | 460% |
| Economics. | $63,952 | $71,300 | 1035% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $63,952 | $87,105 | 1530% |
| Marketing. | $63,952 | $78,148 | 1249% |
Peer Comparison
528%
20yr ROI
304%
20yr ROI
677%
20yr ROI
507%
20yr ROI
986%
20yr ROI
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.