University of the Southwest
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$66,680
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$1,600/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
41.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-52%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of the Southwest's in-state tuition is $16,670. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $40,278. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $36,600, but increase to $45,389 ten years after graduation. The median debt for graduates is $21,303, and 62.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year earnings. The ratio is approximately 0.53, indicating that the median debt is about half of the first-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, a break-even timeline cannot be accurately calculated. The data provides tuition cost, earnings at different points, and median debt, but does not provide information on living expenses or other costs associated with attending the university.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,670
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,303
Median Earnings (5yr)
$36,600
Graduation Rate
27%
Receive Financial Aid
63%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | $66,680 | $53,738 | 462% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | $66,680 | $57,489 | 575% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | $66,680 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
-52%
20yr ROI
-57%
20yr ROI
-74%
20yr ROI
-54%
20yr ROI
-69%
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.