College Cost & ROI Calculator
Is the degree worth it? Estimate the total cost and the payback from the earnings premium a degree provides.
Example: with Net cost per year $22,000 · Years to degree 4 yrs · Expected starting salary $60,000 · Likely salary without the degree $38,000 → Total cost of the degree: $88,000.
- Annual earnings premium$22,000 / yr
- Simple payback4.0 yrs
- 10-year net gain$132,000
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
College savings projection
College savings and financial-aid tools
Learn moreCost vs the earnings premium
A degree’s value is the earnings premium it unlocks over a lifetime, weighed against its cost and the years of foregone income. The averages are favorable — bachelor’s holders out-earn high-school grads substantially — but the return varies enormously by major, school cost and whether you finish.
How it’s calculated & sources
Total cost = net annual cost × years. Annual premium = expected salary with the degree − without it. Simple payback = total cost ÷ premium; the 10-year net gain is ten years of premium minus the cost. For the savings projection: projected annual cost = today’s cost compounded at the cost-growth rate over the years until enrollment, × years attending. Projected savings = current balance plus monthly contributions, compounded monthly at the investment return rate over the years until enrollment. The shortfall/surplus compares projected savings to the target share of projected cost you aim to cover from savings.
Benchmark: bachelor’s degree holders earn roughly $1.2M more over a career on average, though the premium varies widely by field (BLS / Census).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include student-loan interest?
No — if you borrow, add interest to the cost. Lower-cost schools and scholarships dramatically improve the return.
What about non-financial value?
Plenty — networks, options and personal growth aren’t captured here. But the financial payback still varies hugely by major and cost, so it’s worth checking.
How does the savings projection work?
Enter years until enrollment, a cost-growth rate, and your current savings and monthly contribution. The tool grows today’s annual cost forward to enrollment, multiplies by years attending, and compares that to your savings growing at your chosen investment return rate.
What if I only plan to cover part of the cost from savings?
Set “% of cost to cover from savings” below 100% — the rest is assumed to come from loans, aid, or other sources, and the shortfall/surplus is measured against that smaller target.