The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$40,576
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$7,209/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
255%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga students earn a median of $40,626, which is approximately four times the annual in-state tuition cost of $10,144. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $42,209, and after ten years, earnings reach $51,151. The median debt for graduates is $19,500, and 38.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.48. This suggests that the median debt is less than half of the typical graduate's annual income one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the total cost of tuition, is less than one year. This calculation assumes that the total cost is the in-state tuition of $10,144 and the earnings are $40,626.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,144
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$42,209
Graduation Rate
53%
Receive Financial Aid
38%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $40,576 | $52,535 | 764% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $40,576 | $41,800 | 235% |
| Psychology, General. | $40,576 | $39,041 | 99% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $40,576 | $39,355 | 115% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $40,576 | $62,910 | 1276% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $40,576 | $90,322 | 2627% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $40,576 | $45,448 | 415% |
| Biology, General. | $40,576 | $43,959 | 342% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $40,576 | $38,871 | 91% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $40,576 | $81,689 | 2201% |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $40,576 | $39,145 | 104% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $40,576 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
255%
20yr ROI
466%
20yr ROI
223%
20yr ROI
382%
20yr ROI
417%
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.