Pacific Lutheran University
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
vs 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 is $50,964. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $45,409. Five years after graduation, alumni earn $52,212, and ten years after graduation, alumni earn $66,990. The median debt for students is $22,578, and 44% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, comparing median debt to one-year earnings, is approximately 0.5. To calculate the break-even timeline, the tuition cost is divided by the difference between the ten-year earnings and the one-year earnings. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 2.3 years.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $203,856 | $61,439 | 159% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $203,856 | $76,825 | 310% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $203,856 | $47,438 | 22% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $203,856 | $70,165 | 245% |
| Psychology, General. | $203,856 | $44,319 | -9% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $203,856 | $35,825 | -92% |
| Biology, General. | $203,856 | $40,169 | -49% |
| Chemistry. | $203,856 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $203,856 | $87,069 | 411% |
| Political Science and Government. | $203,856 | $48,683 | 34% |
| Sociology. | $203,856 | $50,401 | 51% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $203,856 | $105,624 | 593% |
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)
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.