Radford 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
$49,144
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,830/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
300%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Radford University's in-state tuition costs $12,286 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $42,002. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $44,830, and ten years after, earnings reach $53,739. The median debt for graduates is $24,000, and 55.1% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $24,000 and the first-year earnings of $42,002, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.57. This is calculated by dividing the debt by the first-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 1 year to break even on the investment in tuition, assuming that all earnings are used to pay off the debt. This is calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,286
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,830
Graduation Rate
52%
Receive Financial Aid
55%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,098 | 1003% |
| Psychology, General | $60,920 | 955% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,419 | 324% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,857 | 220% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,305 | 401% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,713 | 499% |
| Biology, General | $47,617 | 413% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,557 | 574% |
| Social Work | $48,050 | 431% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $111,492 | 3013% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $78,771 | 1681% |
| Marketing | $59,314 | 890% |
Peer Comparison
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.