Southern Oregon University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$48,372
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$4,326/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
11.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
79%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Southern Oregon University's in-state tuition costs $12,093. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $34,841. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $39,326, and after ten years, earnings reach $49,175. The median debt for graduates is $20,332, and 27.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.58. This indicates that the median debt is about 58% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, the median debt is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 1.05 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,093
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,332
Median Earnings (5yr)
$39,326
Graduation Rate
45%
Receive Financial Aid
27%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,957 | 849% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $55,518 | 748% |
| Psychology, General | $39,466 | 85% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,457 | 415% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,909 | -62% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $37,055 | -15% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $0 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $0 | N/A |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
79%
20yr ROI
192%
20yr ROI
124%
20yr ROI
268%
20yr ROI
117%
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.