Northwest Missouri State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$40,724
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,695/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
6.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
229%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Northwest Missouri State University's in-state tuition is $10,181. One year after graduation, alumni earn $40,274. Five years after graduation, earnings are $41,695, and ten years after graduation, earnings are $47,885. The median debt for graduates is $21,500, and 46.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates one year after graduation is approximately 0.53, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. The five-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.51, and the ten-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.45.
Based on the provided data, the break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the cumulative earnings to surpass the tuition cost, is less than one year. This is because the one-year earnings of $40,274 are significantly higher than the tuition cost of $10,181.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,181
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,695
Graduation Rate
56%
Receive Financial Aid
47%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | $40,724 | $49,633 | 619% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $40,724 | $36,401 | -31% |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $40,724 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $40,724 | $58,677 | 1063% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $40,724 | $54,979 | 881% |
| Marketing. | $40,724 | $54,067 | 836% |
| Psychology, General. | $40,724 | $39,143 | 103% |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | $40,724 | $53,374 | 802% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $40,724 | $43,574 | 321% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $40,724 | $37,306 | 13% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $40,724 | $46,406 | 460% |
| Biology, General. | $40,724 | $47,845 | 531% |
Peer Comparison
229%
20yr ROI
554%
20yr ROI
328%
20yr ROI
238%
20yr ROI
269%
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.