Washington & Jefferson College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Washington & Jefferson College costs about $112,740 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $52,082 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 6.6 years (20-year ROI: 203%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$112,740
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$17,082/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
6.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
203%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Washington & Jefferson College graduates earn a median salary of $43,047. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $52,082, and after ten years, the median salary is $67,918. The median debt for graduates is $27,000, and 77% of students receive financial aid.
The annual in-state tuition cost is $28,185. Based on the one-year post-graduation earnings of $43,047, graduates earn approximately $14,862 more than the cost of tuition in their first year. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.63 based on the first year's earnings.
Given the median debt of $27,000 and the one-year earnings of $43,047, the break-even point, where cumulative earnings surpass the total cost of tuition and debt, is within the first year after graduation.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$28,185
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$52,082
Graduation Rate
73%
Receive Financial Aid
77%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $59,080 | 327% |
| Psychology, General | $44,775 | 73% |
| Political Science and Government | $43,240 | 46% |
| Economics | $64,490 | 423% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,352 | 438% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,992 | 166% |
Peer Comparison
203%
20yr ROI
58%
20yr ROI
86%
20yr ROI
54%
20yr ROI
36%
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.