Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$247,536
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$48,054/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
288%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a median of $75,120, which is greater than the annual tuition cost of $61,884. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $83,054, and after ten years, earnings reach $102,051. The median debt for graduates is $23,750, and 50.1% of students receive financial aid.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$61,884
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$83,054
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
50%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,477 | 389% |
| Chemical Engineering | $90,212 | 346% |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $98,618 | 414% |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $102,236 | 443% |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $84,061 | 296% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $112,975 | 530% |
| Civil Engineering | $90,588 | 349% |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $119,498 | 583% |
| Applied Mathematics | $105,911 | 473% |
| Mathematics | $100,012 | 425% |
| Physics | $88,071 | 329% |
| Industrial Engineering | $98,602 | 414% |
Peer Comparison
288%
20yr ROI
270%
20yr ROI
2736%
20yr ROI
262%
20yr ROI
0%
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.