University of Colorado Boulder
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$65,720
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$19,939/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
507%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Colorado Boulder has an in-state tuition of $16,430. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $48,932. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $54,939, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $69,738. The median debt for graduates is $19,500, and 24.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates is favorable. The median debt of $19,500 is significantly less than the one-year post-graduation earnings of $48,932. This indicates that graduates are likely able to manage their debt effectively.
Based on the provided data, the break-even timeline, or the time it takes for a graduate to earn back the cost of tuition, is less than one year. The difference between the one-year earnings of $48,932 and the tuition cost of $16,430 is $32,502.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,430
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$54,939
Graduation Rate
75%
Receive Financial Aid
24%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $65,720 | $74,824 | 1112% |
| Psychology, General. | $65,720 | $51,637 | 406% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $65,720 | $0 | N/A |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | $65,720 | $49,460 | 340% |
| Economics. | $65,720 | $65,987 | 843% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $65,720 | $82,040 | 1332% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $65,720 | $103,505 | 1985% |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | $65,720 | $92,144 | 1639% |
| Political Science and Government. | $65,720 | $60,121 | 664% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | $65,720 | $44,364 | 185% |
| Sociology. | $65,720 | $51,246 | 394% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $65,720 | $48,881 | 322% |
Peer Comparison
507%
20yr ROI
914%
20yr ROI
1092%
20yr ROI
528%
20yr ROI
677%
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.