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Return on Investment Analysis

Oregon State University 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 Oregon State University costs about $53,976 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $50,843 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 3.4 years (20-year ROI: 487%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$53,976

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$15,843/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

3.4 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

487%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

One year after graduation, Oregon State University alumni earn a median of $47,459. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $50,843, and after ten years, earnings reach $64,010. The median debt for graduates is $21,221. The annual in-state tuition is $13,494.

The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.45. This suggests that the median debt is less than half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.

Based on the provided data, the break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, cannot be accurately calculated. This is because the data does not include the cost of living expenses, nor does it include the earnings of those without a degree.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$13,494

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,221

Median Earnings (5yr)

$50,843

Graduation Rate

70%

Receive Financial Aid

33%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $53,976 $81,952 1640%
Mechanical Engineering $53,976 $97,419 2213%
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services $53,976 $40,876 118%
Psychology, General $53,976 $44,498 252%
Public Health $53,976 $69,360 1173%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $53,976 $49,325 431%
Biology, General $53,976 $42,163 165%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness $53,976 $47,101 348%
Natural Resources Management and Policy $53,976 $63,830 968%
Civil Engineering $53,976 $83,383 1693%
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $53,976 $96,536 2180%
Finance and Financial Management Services $53,976 $63,162 944%
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs $53,976 $59,456 806%
Marketing $53,976 $63,235 946%
Chemical Engineering $53,976 $79,686 1556%
Education, General $53,976 $110,514 2698%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas $53,976 $57,839 746%
Natural Resources Conservation and Research $53,976 $47,250 354%
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management $53,976 $43,598 219%
Design and Applied Arts $53,976 $49,469 436%
Construction Engineering $53,976 $93,310 2061%
Economics $53,976 $63,764 966%
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication $53,976 $45,157 276%
Political Science and Government $53,976 $59,559 810%

Peer Comparison

Oregon State University Current

487%

20yr ROI

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

529%

20yr ROI

Temple University

259%

20yr ROI

Rowan University

400%

20yr ROI

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

649%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$53,976
Median Debt$21,221

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$53,976

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, Oregon State University has an estimated 20-year ROI of 487%. The total 4-year cost is $53,976 and graduates earn a median of $50,843 within 5 years.

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.

Back to Oregon State University Colleges in Oregon Compare Schools ROI Rankings