Western Carolina 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
$18,128
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,085/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
792%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The average in-state tuition at Western Carolina University is $4,532. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $40,015. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $43,085, and after ten years, the median salary is $49,458. The median debt for students is $21,868, and 43.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation salary, is approximately 0.55. This indicates that the median debt is about 55% of the first-year salary.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the one-year post-graduation salary and the tuition cost. This calculation suggests a break-even point of approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$4,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,868
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,085
Graduation Rate
60%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $74,022 | 4205% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $110,705 | 8252% |
| Psychology, General | $32,439 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,331 | 1150% |
| Marketing | $51,579 | 1729% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,561 | 403% |
| Biology, General | $43,110 | 795% |
| Social Work | $50,735 | 1636% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $59,679 | 2623% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $47,130 | 1238% |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
| Public Administration | $58,649 | 2509% |
Peer Comparison
792%
20yr ROI
707%
20yr ROI
205%
20yr ROI
374%
20yr ROI
169%
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.