Southern Adventist University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$102,360
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,818/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
10.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
92%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Southern Adventist University's in-state tuition costs $25,590. One year after graduation, alumni earn $45,366. Five years after graduation, earnings are $44,818, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $53,723. The median debt for students is $24,500, and 43.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the first-year earnings are nearly double the tuition cost.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, is less than one year based on the first-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$25,590
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,818
Graduation Rate
52%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $102,360 | $60,359 | 395% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $102,360 | $66,429 | 514% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $102,360 | $110,118 | 1368% |
| Biology, General. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Social Work. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Chemistry. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | $102,360 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
92%
20yr ROI
47%
20yr ROI
59%
20yr ROI
-11%
20yr ROI
29%
20yr ROI
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.