Salem 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
$128,944
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,496/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
36.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-46%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Graduates of Salem College earn a median of $34,178 one year after graduation. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $38,496, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $44,640. The annual in-state tuition cost is $32,236. The median debt for graduates is $26,649, and 49.6% of students receive financial aid.
Given the median debt of $26,649 and the one-year earnings of $34,178, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.78. This is calculated by dividing the debt by the annual income.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 3.7 years to break even on the tuition cost, assuming a graduate earns the one-year post-graduation salary and uses all earnings to pay off the tuition. This is calculated by dividing the tuition cost by the one-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$32,236
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,649
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,496
Graduation Rate
59%
Receive Financial Aid
50%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,714 | -58% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Education, General | $41,366 | -1% |
| Music | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $0 | N/A |
| History | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $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.