South University-Richmond ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$72,952
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-885/yr
below high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-124%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
South University-Richmond, Glen Allen has a low graduation rate of 20.9% and a retention rate of 63.6%. The in-state tuition is $18,238. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $55,439, but after five and ten years, the median earnings decrease to $34,115 and $34,421, respectively. The median debt for students is $26,123, and 55.2% of students receive financial aid.
Given the tuition cost and one-year earnings, the return on investment appears positive initially. However, the five and ten-year earnings are lower than the one-year earnings. This suggests a potential issue with long-term career prospects for graduates.
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)
$18,238
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,123
Median Earnings (5yr)
$34,115
Graduation Rate
21%
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 | $108,725 | 1921% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $113,965 | 2065% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $43,365 | 129% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,109 | 451% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,160 | 41% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $43,411 | 131% |
| Public Health | $0 | N/A |
| Information Science/Studies | $88,546 | 1368% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,478 | 105% |
| Psychology, General | $36,910 | -48% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $40,651 | 55% |
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.