The College of Wooster
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$238,200
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,895/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
26.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-25%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The College of Wooster's in-state tuition is $59,550. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $31,623. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $43,895, and after ten years, earnings reach $59,629. The median debt for graduates is $26,500.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates one year out is 83.8% based on the median debt and earnings. The five-year debt-to-income ratio is 60.4%. The ten-year debt-to-income ratio is 44.4%.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 4.2 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their median debt, assuming earnings of $31,623 per year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$59,550
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,895
Graduation Rate
74%
Receive Financial Aid
45%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government. | $238,200 | $43,917 | -25% |
| Psychology, General. | $238,200 | $39,787 | -60% |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
| Mathematics. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $238,200 | $39,673 | -61% |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $238,200 | $32,067 | N/A |
| History. | $238,200 | $40,777 | -51% |
| Chemistry. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $238,200 | $38,624 | -70% |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | $238,200 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
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.