Education, General: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 88 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$225,675 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.
63.1 yrsModeled economic break-even
−84%Modeled 10-year ROI
$49,250Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$49,250Median reported earnings · year 4
$47,020Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,525Median federal debt
20thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
88Reporting programs
73With year-4 earnings
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.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $58,162
- Federal debt
- $14,250
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,127
- Federal debt
- $11,025
- Reporting programs
- 34
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $49,250
- Federal debt
- $26,525
- Reporting programs
- 88
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,429
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $63,909
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 217
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $95,543
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 36
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $83,429
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,300
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 8
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $62,656
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 12
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.
Median
25th percentile$45,568National median$49,25075th percentile$55,180
73 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Bellevue University$93,6882Seattle Pacific University$70,5843University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$66,0934University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$65,8645Denison University$65,4296University of Washington-Seattle Campus$65,2177University of Washington-Bothell Campus$65,2178University of Washington-Tacoma Campus$65,2179Chapman University$64,91710Monmouth University$63,068Observed 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.
Education Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1081 · 1 crosswalk linksTeaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationSOC 25-9042 · 1 crosswalk linksTeaching Assistants, Special EducationSOC 25-9043 · 1 crosswalk links
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 | Bellevue UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bellevue, NE | $93,688 | $26,556 | +95% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Seattle Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $70,584 | $25,000 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $66,093 | $18,750 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $65,864 | Not available | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Denison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Granville, OH | $65,429 | Not available | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $65,217 | $15,729 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's Degree | Bothell, WA | $65,217 | $15,729 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $65,217 | $15,729 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Chapman UniversityBachelor's Degree | Orange, CA | $64,917 | $21,746 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Monmouth UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Long Branch, NJ | $63,068 | $27,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $62,372 | $23,250 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $59,775 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Colgate UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hamilton, NY | $57,530 | Not available | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | University of Puget SoundBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $57,205 | $27,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Boston UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $56,556 | $27,000 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Beloit CollegeBachelor's Degree | Beloit, WI | $56,414 | $24,456 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | University of Mount OliveBachelor's Degree | Mount Olive, NC | $56,226 | Not available | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Merrimack CollegeBachelor's Degree | North Andover, MA | $55,180 | $27,000 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Florida Gulf Coast UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fort Myers, FL | $55,116 | $20,755 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University of Hawaii-West OahuBachelor's Degree | Kapolei, HI | $54,648 | $24,333 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of OregonBachelor's Degree | Eugene, OR | $54,434 | $20,096 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | University of California, IrvineBachelor's Degree | Irvine, CA | $54,356 | $15,575 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | SUNY BrockportBachelor's Degree | Brockport, NY | $54,018 | $26,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Forest Grove, OR | $53,333 | $27,000 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Springfield CollegeBachelor's Degree | Springfield, MA | $53,222 | $27,000 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleBachelor's Degree | Platteville, WI | $52,895 | $25,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Southern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Haven, CT | $52,659 | $25,000 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $52,243 | $27,000 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Southwestern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Georgetown, TX | $52,035 | Not available | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Buena Vista UniversityBachelor's Degree | Storm Lake, IA | $50,997 | $32,000 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Empire State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $50,954 | $21,422 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Florida Atlantic UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boca Raton, FL | $50,946 | $18,474 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $50,728 | $27,936 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Nelson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waxahachie, TX | $50,491 | $27,500 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Western Governors UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $49,646 | $22,784 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Curry CollegeBachelor's Degree | Milton, MA | $49,250 | Not available | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $49,228 | $30,990 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Allendale, MI | $49,225 | $29,364 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Flagler CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Augustine, FL | $49,104 | $30,750 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Hamline UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $48,878 | $25,000 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Bloomsburg, PA | $48,795 | Not available | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $48,188 | $26,522 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Bay Path UniversityBachelor's Degree | Longmeadow, MA | $47,941 | Not available | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Salem CollegeBachelor's Degree | Winston-Salem, NC | $47,488 | $26,407 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | The University of Arizona Global CampusBachelor's Degree | Chandler, AZ | $47,107 | $44,596 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Midland UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fremont, NE | $46,695 | $27,000 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Kent State University at KentBachelor's Degree | Kent, OH | $46,646 | $30,782 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Fairmont State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairmont, WV | $46,625 | $22,760 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Heidelberg UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tiffin, OH | $46,402 | $27,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Wilmington UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Castle, DE | $46,324 | $26,689 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Western Oregon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Monmouth, OR | $46,042 | $20,500 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Hope International UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fullerton, CA | $45,971 | $24,823 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | John Carroll UniversityBachelor's Degree | University Heights, OH | $45,791 | $27,000 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Salem State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, MA | $45,568 | $27,000 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Webster UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $45,411 | $27,100 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $44,984 | $27,000 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Belmont Abbey CollegeBachelor's Degree | Belmont, NC | $44,460 | $27,000 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | University of Wisconsin-Green BayBachelor's Degree | Green Bay, WI | $44,331 | $23,250 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Wilmington CollegeBachelor's Degree | Wilmington, OH | $43,077 | $27,000 | -107% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Tusculum UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greeneville, TN | $42,927 | $25,832 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Corban UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, OR | $42,243 | $26,528 | -109% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Saint Louis UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $42,112 | $27,000 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $42,034 | $25,449 | -109% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor's Degree | Wise, VA | $41,804 | Not available | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Liberty UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $41,664 | $42,160 | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | University of Arkansas at MonticelloBachelor's Degree | Monticello, AR | $41,606 | Not available | -114% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Harris-Stowe State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $40,247 | $35,478 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Missouri Southern State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Joplin, MO | $39,273 | $19,722 | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | University of Missouri-St LouisBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $38,074 | $33,449 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Berea CollegeBachelor's Degree | Berea, KY | $36,412 | Not available | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Missouri Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $35,906 | Not available | -132% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Harding UniversityBachelor's Degree | Searcy, AR | Not available | $40,375 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $22,130 |
| 73 | Biola UniversityBachelor's Degree | La Mirada, CA | Not available | $24,030 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $31,495 |
| 74 | Southern University at New OrleansBachelor's Degree | New Orleans, LA | Not available | $54,647 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $14,810 |
| 75 | Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree | North Adams, MA | Not available | $25,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $16,068 |
| 76 | College of Our Lady of the ElmsBachelor's Degree | Chicopee, MA | Not available | $25,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,545 |
| 77 | Smith CollegeBachelor's Degree | Northampton, MA | Not available | $19,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $27,579 |
| 78 | Stonehill CollegeBachelor's Degree | Easton, MA | Not available | $26,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $33,016 |
| 79 | Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesBachelor's Degree | Fayette, MO | Not available | $21,250 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $22,766 |
| 80 | Franklin Pierce UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rindge, NH | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $27,154 |
| 81 | Hobart William Smith CollegesBachelor's Degree | Geneva, NY | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $31,563 |
| 82 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | Not available | $21,375 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $37,050 |
| 83 | Wilkes UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $27,743 |
| 84 | Rhodes CollegeBachelor's Degree | Memphis, TN | Not available | $25,364 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $28,585 |
| 85 | Southwestern Adventist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Keene, TX | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $22,778 |
| 86 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | Not available | $13,250 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $13,951 |
| 87 | Goddard CollegeBachelor's Degree | , | $56,714 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 88 | Cabrini UniversityBachelor's Degree | , | $44,906 | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
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.