University of Chicago
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$267,756
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$45,870/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
243%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Chicago has a high return on investment. The one-year earnings after graduation are $77,119, exceeding the annual tuition cost of $66,939. Five-year earnings are $80,870, and ten-year earnings are $91,885. The median debt for graduates is $15,000, and only 5.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio is favorable. With a median debt of $15,000 and one-year earnings of $77,119, the debt represents a small fraction of the annual income. The break-even timeline, 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)
$66,939
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$80,870
Graduation Rate
95%
Receive Financial Aid
5%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $267,756 | $0 | N/A |
| Economics. | $267,756 | $127,832 | 593% |
| Public Policy Analysis. | $267,756 | $99,750 | 384% |
| Social Sciences, General. | $267,756 | $59,606 | 84% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $267,756 | $204,813 | 1168% |
| Law. | $267,756 | $256,407 | 1554% |
| Social Work. | $267,756 | $61,154 | 95% |
| Statistics. | $267,756 | $144,308 | 716% |
| Mathematics. | $267,756 | $107,611 | 442% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $267,756 | $53,995 | 42% |
| Biology, General. | $267,756 | $52,065 | 27% |
| Public Policy Analysis. | $267,756 | $85,597 | 278% |
Peer Comparison
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.