The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$53,936
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,782/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
374%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has an in-state tuition of $13,484. One year after graduation, alumni earn $44,937. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $47,782, and after ten years, earnings reach $60,249. The median debt for graduates is $20,500, and 30.1% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio for graduates is approximately 0.46. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $20,500 by the one-year earnings of $44,937.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the tuition cost of $13,484 is divided by the annual earnings. Using the one-year earnings of $44,937, the break-even point is approximately 0.3 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$13,484
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,782
Graduation Rate
73%
Receive Financial Aid
30%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $53,936 | $68,864 | 1156% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $53,936 | $50,183 | 463% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $53,936 | $0 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $53,936 | $68,331 | 1136% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $53,936 | $62,548 | 922% |
| Social Work. | $53,936 | $48,833 | 413% |
| Biology, General. | $53,936 | $44,486 | 252% |
| Marketing. | $53,936 | $55,676 | 667% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $53,936 | $124,987 | 3237% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $53,936 | $80,833 | 1600% |
| Political Science and Government. | $53,936 | $47,707 | 371% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $53,936 | $71,799 | 1265% |
Peer Comparison
374%
20yr ROI
717%
20yr ROI
872%
20yr ROI
339%
20yr ROI
1012%
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.