Western Oregon University 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 Western Oregon University costs about $44,100 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $42,537 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 5.9 years (20-year ROI: 242%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$44,100
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$7,537/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
242%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Western Oregon University's in-state tuition costs $11,025. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $38,013. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $42,537, and after ten years, earnings reach $51,815. The median debt for graduates is $20,609.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.54. This indicates that the median debt is about 54% of the first-year earnings.
Given the median debt and the first-year earnings, the break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the debt, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,025
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,609
Median Earnings (5yr)
$42,537
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
74%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,928 | 758% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $54,526 | 786% |
| Education, General | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $43,164 | 270% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $46,076 | 402% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $40,397 | 145% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,212 | 635% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,753 | 161% |
| Public Health | $43,870 | 302% |
| American Sign Language | $36,768 | -20% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,922 | 1438% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,672 | 611% |
| Biology, General | $52,553 | 696% |
| Social Sciences, General | $45,230 | 364% |
| Information Science/Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Design and Applied Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
242%
20yr ROI
331%
20yr ROI
268%
20yr ROI
187%
20yr ROI
261%
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.