Pacific Lutheran 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
$203,856
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$17,212/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
11.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
69%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Pacific Lutheran University's in-state tuition costs $50,964. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $45,409. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $52,212, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $66,990. The median debt for graduates is $22,578, and 44% of students receive financial aid.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline. The provided earnings data suggests that graduates earn less than the cost of tuition in the first year after graduation. However, earnings increase over time, exceeding the cost of tuition within the first ten years after graduation.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$50,964
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,578
Median Earnings (5yr)
$52,212
Graduation Rate
71%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $87,069 | 411% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $105,624 | 593% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $70,165 | 245% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,438 | 22% |
| Psychology, General | $44,319 | -9% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $35,825 | -92% |
| Biology, General | $40,169 | -49% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $37,881 | -72% |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology | $50,401 | 51% |
| Political Science and Government | $48,683 | 34% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $102,752 | 565% |
Peer Comparison
69%
20yr ROI
36%
20yr ROI
210%
20yr ROI
148%
20yr ROI
54%
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.