The Catholic University of America
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$223,336
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$28,217/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
7.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
153%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The Catholic University of America's in-state tuition is $55,834. One year after graduation, alumni earn $58,049. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $63,217, and after ten years, earnings reach $73,250. The median debt for students is $26,000, and 48.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable from the provided data. However, the one-year earnings of $58,049 are more than double the median debt of $26,000.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$55,834
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$63,217
Graduation Rate
79%
Receive Financial Aid
49%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | $223,336 | $0 | N/A |
| Law. | $223,336 | $103,990 | 518% |
| Political Science and Government. | $223,336 | $61,154 | 134% |
| Psychology, General. | $223,336 | $55,808 | 86% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $223,336 | $79,813 | 301% |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other. | $223,336 | $0 | N/A |
| Architecture. | $223,336 | $58,215 | 108% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $223,336 | $80,518 | 308% |
| Philosophy. | $223,336 | $53,098 | 62% |
| Library Science and Administration. | $223,336 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $223,336 | $0 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $223,336 | $87,663 | 372% |
Peer Comparison
153%
20yr ROI
112%
20yr ROI
576%
20yr ROI
159%
20yr ROI
0%
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.