Architecture and Related Services, Other: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 6 reporting college programs.
−$102,353 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $62,564
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,788
- Federal debt
- $26,500
- Reporting programs
- 6
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $69,582
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,691
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Hobart William Smith Colleges$68,3412University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$64,6523Ball State University$64,3504University of Arizona$55,2265Louisiana Tech University$53,7316University of Louisiana at Lafayette$51,546Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hobart William Smith CollegesBachelor's Degree | Geneva, NY | $68,341 | $26,750 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $64,652 | $22,064 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | $64,350 | Not available | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $55,226 | $26,500 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ruston, LA | $53,731 | $27,000 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | University of Louisiana at LafayetteBachelor's Degree | Lafayette, LA | $51,546 | $25,738 | -72% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.