Roanoke College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$147,096
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,330/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
14.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
40%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Roanoke College alumni earn a median of $36,855, which is slightly higher than the annual tuition cost of $36,774. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,330, and after ten years, earnings reach $58,047. The median debt for graduates is $27,000, and 80.9% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.73, calculated by dividing the median debt of $27,000 by the one-year earnings of $36,855. The break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the total tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$36,774
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,330
Graduation Rate
69%
Receive Financial Aid
81%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $147,096 | $53,973 | 158% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $147,096 | $58,080 | 214% |
| Psychology, General. | $147,096 | $46,137 | 51% |
| Biology, General. | $147,096 | $51,790 | 128% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| History. | $147,096 | $46,933 | 62% |
| Public Health. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $147,096 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
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.