University of Delaware
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$64,320
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$23,846/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
641%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Delaware's in-state tuition costs $16,080. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $51,892. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $58,846, and after ten years, earnings reach $72,950. The median debt for graduates is $24,572, and 48.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.47. This indicates that the median debt is less than half of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation suggests that graduates could potentially break even on their tuition investment within approximately one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,080
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,572
Median Earnings (5yr)
$58,846
Graduation Rate
79%
Receive Financial Aid
48%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $64,320 | $83,952 | 1422% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $64,320 | $39,851 | 51% |
| Marketing. | $64,320 | $72,845 | 1077% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $64,320 | $69,499 | 973% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $64,320 | $80,264 | 1307% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | $64,320 | $54,067 | 493% |
| Biology, General. | $64,320 | $62,360 | 751% |
| Economics. | $64,320 | $72,156 | 1055% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $64,320 | $97,913 | 1856% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $64,320 | $50,186 | 372% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $64,320 | $77,898 | 1234% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $64,320 | $61,186 | 714% |
Peer Comparison
641%
20yr ROI
1279%
20yr ROI
775%
20yr ROI
669%
20yr ROI
649%
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.