Utah State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$36,912
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,822/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
432%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Utah State University's in-state tuition costs $9,228. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $45,312. Five years after graduation, earnings are $44,822, and after ten years, earnings increase to $54,022. The median debt for graduates is $14,340, and 19.3% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.32. This indicates that the median debt is about 32% 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 a break-even timeline of approximately 0.4 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,228
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,340
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,822
Graduation Rate
56%
Receive Financial Aid
19%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,982 | 332% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $52,575 | 852% |
| Economics | $73,167 | 1968% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,047 | 607% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $92,050 | 2991% |
| Psychology, General | $57,587 | 1124% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $59,947 | 1252% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,114 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,623 | 150% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,504 | 2203% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,841 | 2275% |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $52,811 | 865% |
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.