University of Northern Colorado ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$48,040
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,756/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
265%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Northern Colorado has an acceptance rate of 86.4% and a graduation rate of 51.6%. The average in-state tuition is $12,010. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $41,691, increasing to $43,756 after five years, and $52,231 after ten years. The median debt for students is $20,470, and 39.7% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio for a graduate one year after graduation is approximately 0.49. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $20,470 by the one-year earnings of $41,691. The five-year debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.47.
To calculate the approximate break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This results in a break-even point of approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,010
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,470
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,756
Graduation Rate
52%
Receive Financial Aid
40%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $97,358 | 2496% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,368 | 956% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,357 | -2% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,678 | 511% |
| Psychology, General | $40,282 | 120% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $52,843 | 643% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $74,047 | 1526% |
| Biology, General | $41,539 | 172% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,725 | 513% |
| Education, General | $46,916 | 396% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $63,403 | 1082% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $54,077 | 694% |
Peer Comparison
265%
20yr ROI
334%
20yr ROI
405%
20yr ROI
449%
20yr ROI
255%
20yr ROI
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.