Oregon State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
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 | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $81,952 | 1640% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,419 | 2213% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $40,876 | 118% |
| Psychology, General | $44,498 | 252% |
| Public Health | $69,360 | 1173% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,325 | 431% |
| Biology, General | $42,163 | 165% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,101 | 348% |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $63,830 | 968% |
| Civil Engineering | $83,383 | 1693% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $96,536 | 2180% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,162 | 944% |
Peer Comparison
487%
20yr ROI
529%
20yr ROI
259%
20yr ROI
400%
20yr ROI
649%
20yr ROI
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.