University of Memphis ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$41,376
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$5,921/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
186%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Memphis has a high acceptance rate of 93.4% and a graduation rate of 48.8%. The average in-state tuition is $10,344. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $42,466. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease slightly to $40,921, but increase to $48,458 ten years after graduation.
The median debt for University of Memphis graduates is $23,300. With a median debt of $23,300 and a starting salary of $42,466, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.55. This means that the debt is about 55% of the annual income one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 0.55 years to break even on the investment in tuition, assuming that all earnings are used to pay off the debt. This is calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,344
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,300
Median Earnings (5yr)
$40,921
Graduation Rate
49%
Receive Financial Aid
39%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,035 | 723% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $106,595 | 3361% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $93,490 | 2727% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,408 | 113% |
| Psychology, General | $38,074 | 49% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,257 | 2184% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $47,925 | 525% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,121 | 728% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,058 | 338% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,056 | -97% |
| Biology, General | $39,689 | 127% |
| Marketing | $48,886 | 571% |
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.