Will Your Degree Pay Off?
College is one of the biggest financial decisions many people make — but it’s also one of the most uncertain. With rising tuition, shifting job markets, and mounting debt, you owe it to yourself to understand: What will you really get out of this degree? Our College ROI Calculator gives you a clearer picture by blending cost, time to degree, and expected earnings so you can make smarter decisions and avoid surprises.
How the Calculator Works
The College ROI Calculator estimates the potential financial return of your degree by comparing costs (tuition, fees, books, lost income) with expected earnings over time.
Key factors include:
- Total cost of your degree
- Time to complete your degree
- Expected starting salary and career growth
- Inflation adjustment to show values in today’s dollars
Tip: Adjust inputs to test different majors, schools, or career paths and see how your ROI changes.
Disclaimer:
We base our model on well‑recognized approaches for calculating ROI in higher education: measuring lifetime earnings minus cost of attendance and opportunity cost. These are estimates and there are no guarantees — your actual outcomes will depend on many factors (major, job market, regional salary, career path, economic conditions, etc.).
Why Use This Calculator?
With our Savings Forecast Calculator, you’ll build a personalized projection of how your savings, investments, and retirement accounts can grow — including salary growth, inflation adjustment, and spouse inputs if you’re married.
Let’s walk through the three easy steps to use it.
Avoid expensive surprises
Many graduates don’t fully realize how long it might take to recoup their investment in a degree. For example, some degrees can take a decade just to break even.
Choose with confidence
Compare different majors or schools side‐by‐side using the same model so you can see which path offers the best value for your money, time, and goals.
Plan your future smarter
Knowing your potential earnings path helps you budget, choose how much debt to take on, adjust your timeline, or set realistic financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is ‘college ROI’?
It’s a way to compare how much you invest in a degree (cost + time) vs how much you may gain (earnings over time). A positive ROI means you likely earn more than you spend; a negative ROI means the opposite.
Who should use this tool?
Anyone considering going to college (or switching majors), worried about debt, or wanting to understand financial implications of their education choice.
What inputs do I need, and how accurate should I make them?
You’ll want realistic numbers for cost of attendance, years to complete, expected starting salary, and growth rate. Use school data, salary surveys, or industry averages. The more accurate you are, the more useful your result.
Does the calculator include student loans or interest?
No. This tool estimates ROI based on costs and expected earnings before accounting for loans or interest. If you plan to finance your degree with debt, your actual ROI may be lower than what the calculator shows.
Does this guarantee I’ll make that salary or get that ROI?
No. This is an estimate based on your assumptions. Real outcomes depend on many variables like job market, location, performance, field of study, economic shifts. Use it as a guide, not a promise.
How long until the investment “pays off”?
ROI here isn’t just about tuition or school costs — it compares one career path to another. This estimate shows when the extra earnings from your chosen career might exceed what you could have made in an alternative path. Think of it as a guide to see if this career choice is financially worth it, not a promise.
Not sure if your career choice will pay off?
In a one‑on‑one coaching session, we’ll review your ROI estimate, identify the smartest path for you (major, school, cost vs earnings), map out a strategy to minimise debt and maximise earnings, and give you a realistic timeline you can commit to. Don’t just see your numbers — make them work for you.
This calculator is for educational purposes only. It’s not financial advice. Results are estimates and may vary based on real-world factors. Consult a qualified advisor before making investment or retirement decisions.