University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$34,424
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,524/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
570%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has an in-state tuition of $8,606. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $42,343, which increases to $46,524 after five years and $54,458 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $20,500, and 44.9% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.48 for the first year after graduation. This is calculated by dividing the median debt of $20,500 by the first-year earnings of $42,343.
To calculate the break-even point, the tuition cost of $8,606 is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings and the median debt. This calculation is $42,343 - $20,500 = $21,843. The break-even point is approximately 0.4 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,606
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,524
Graduation Rate
60%
Receive Financial Aid
45%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Sciences. | $34,424 | $44,011 | 424% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $34,424 | $59,644 | 1332% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $34,424 | $41,663 | 287% |
| Biology, General. | $34,424 | $44,084 | 428% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $34,424 | $45,548 | 513% |
| Psychology, General. | $34,424 | $40,714 | 232% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $34,424 | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $34,424 | $0 | N/A |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | $34,424 | $52,088 | 893% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $34,424 | $49,880 | 765% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $34,424 | $90,272 | 3111% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $34,424 | $44,718 | 465% |
Peer Comparison
570%
20yr ROI
554%
20yr ROI
592%
20yr ROI
804%
20yr ROI
308%
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.