Reed College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$268,080
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,607/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
74.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-73%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Reed College's high tuition cost of $67,020 per year contrasts with its graduates' earnings. One year after graduation, the median salary is $29,077, increasing to $38,607 after five years, and $62,927 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $21,500, and 38.4% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt and earnings data, the debt-to-income ratio can be calculated. The one-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.74, while the five-year ratio is approximately 0.56. The ten-year ratio is approximately 0.34.
Based on the provided data, a break-even timeline can be estimated. Considering the median debt of $21,500 and the difference between the annual tuition cost and the one-year earnings, it would take a graduate more than two years to earn back the initial tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$67,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,607
Graduation Rate
78%
Receive Financial Aid
38%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $38,334 | -75% |
| Economics | $0 | N/A |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| History | $0 | N/A |
| Physics | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,350 | -97% |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics | $0 | N/A |
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.