The College of Wooster ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at The College of Wooster costs about $238,200 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $43,895 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 26.8 years (20-year ROI: -25%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$238,200
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,895/yr
above 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, the median earnings increase to $43,895, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $59,629. The median debt for graduates is $26,500, and 44.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates one year after graduation is approximately 0.84. The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the median earnings.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 2.1 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their median debt, assuming they earn the median salary one year after graduation and do not have any other expenses. This is calculated by dividing the median debt by the median earnings one year after graduation.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | $43,917 | -25% |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $39,673 | -61% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $0 | N/A |
| History | $40,777 | -51% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,067 | N/A |
| Sociology | $38,624 | -70% |
| Philosophy | $0 | N/A |
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.