College ROI Calculator
Compare the financial return of a college degree vs starting work straight from high school. Accounts for tuition, lost wages during school, and post-graduation salary boost.
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About College ROI Calculator
Variation by major
Engineering, CS, business, nursing often have strong ROI. Liberal arts and humanities have weaker ROI on average — but it depends heavily on individual career path. Major matters more than school name for most fields.
Public vs private
In-state public university with no loans almost always has positive ROI. Out-of-state public or private universities require careful analysis. $250k in loans for a $50k starting salary rarely pays off.
Beyond money
College has non-financial value: friendships, networks, exposure to ideas, professional credentialing, social mobility. This calculator only captures financial ROI — most people’s real decisions weigh both dimensions.