University of Charleston ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$131,368
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$7,698/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
17.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
17%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Charleston's in-state tuition is $32,842. One year after graduation, alumni earn $55,778. Five years after graduation, earnings are $42,698, and ten years after graduation, earnings are $55,774. The median debt for students is $19,500, and 33.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the one-year earnings of $55,778 are significantly higher than the median debt of $19,500. The five-year earnings are lower than the one-year earnings, and the ten-year earnings are similar to the one-year earnings.
The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year based on the one-year earnings of $55,778.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$32,842
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$42,698
Graduation Rate
44%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,544 | 137% |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $37,810 | -57% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,530 | 289% |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $128,081 | 1317% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $116,695 | 1144% |
| Security Science and Technology | $0 | N/A |
| Business/Commerce, General | $82,271 | 620% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $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.