Return on Investment Analysis

University of California-Santa Cruz ROI Analysis

Q: How long does it take to break even on a University of California-Santa Cruz degree?

The estimated break-even point for a degree from University of California-Santa Cruz is 4 years after graduation, based on the earnings premium over a high school diploma.

Q: What is the total cost of attending University of California-Santa Cruz?

The estimated 4-year in-state tuition cost at University of California-Santa Cruz is $58,240 ($14,560 per year). 29% of students receive financial aid.

Q: What do University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn?

The median earnings for University of California-Santa Cruz graduates 5 years after enrollment is $49,716. This is $14,716 above the national average for high school diploma holders.

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 University of California-Santa Cruz costs about $58,240 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $49,716 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 4 years (20-year ROI: 405%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$58,240

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$14,716/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

4 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

405%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

One year after graduation, University of California-Santa Cruz alumni earn a median of $37,107, which is 2.6 times the in-state tuition cost of $14,560. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $49,716, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $68,396. The median debt for graduates is $16,666, and 29.4% of students receive financial aid.

The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is 0.45. This indicates that the median debt is 45% of the first-year earnings.

Based on the provided data, the break-even point, 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)

$14,560

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,666

Median Earnings (5yr)

$49,716

Graduation Rate

76%

Receive Financial Aid

29%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program	4yr Cost	Median Earnings (5yr)	Est. 20yr ROI
Psychology, General	$58,240	$48,247	355%
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences	$58,240	$60,883	789%
Business/Managerial Economics	$58,240	$78,567	1396%
Sociology	$58,240	$47,904	343%
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$58,240	$49,828	409%
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services	$58,240	$38,878	33%
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$58,240	$34,586	N/A
Biology, General	$58,240	$52,707	508%
Economics	$58,240	$89,229	1762%
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$58,240	$35,013	-100%
Political Science and Government	$58,240	$53,304	529%
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies	$58,240	$49,977	414%
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)	$58,240	$49,862	410%
Fine and Studio Arts	$58,240	$56,504	638%
Anthropology	$58,240	$40,257	81%
Cognitive Science	$58,240	$59,051	726%
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	$58,240	$86,880	1682%
History	$58,240	$40,464	88%
Mathematics	$58,240	$71,946	1169%
Computer Engineering	$58,240	$118,191	2757%
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering	$58,240	$99,815	2126%
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences	$58,240	$56,645	643%
Chemistry	$58,240	$52,368	496%
Biomedical/Medical Engineering	$58,240	$83,334	1560%

Peer Comparison

University of California-Santa Cruz Current

405%

20yr ROI

SUNY Oneonta

735%

20yr ROI

University of Arkansas

653%

20yr ROI

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

472%

20yr ROI

Miami University-Hamilton

915%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$58,240

Median Debt$16,666

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0

Net 4-Year Cost$58,240

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University of California-Santa Cruz worth the cost?

Based on government data, University of California-Santa Cruz has an estimated 20-year ROI of 405%. The total 4-year cost is $58,240 and graduates earn a median of $49,716 within 5 years.

How long does it take to break even on a University of California-Santa Cruz degree?

What is the total cost of attending University of California-Santa Cruz?

What do University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn?

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.

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