Washington University in St Louis ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$251,928
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$43,073/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
242%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Washington University in St. Louis graduates earn a median salary of $57,622. The median debt for graduates is $17,500, and 14.3% of students receive financial aid. The in-state tuition cost is $62,982.
Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $78,073, and after ten years, the median salary is $86,182. The school has a high graduation rate of 94.1% and a high retention rate of 95.9%.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$62,982
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$78,073
Graduation Rate
94%
Receive Financial Aid
14%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $58,018 | 83% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $140,978 | 741% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $152,625 | 834% |
| Social Work | $56,196 | 68% |
| Law | $131,895 | 669% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $0 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,827 | 304% |
| Biology, General | $0 | N/A |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $0 | N/A |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $0 | N/A |
| Anthropology | $0 | N/A |
| Economics | $80,729 | 263% |
Peer Comparison
242%
20yr ROI
473%
20yr ROI
239%
20yr ROI
244%
20yr ROI
0%
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.