Graduate Program ROI Calculator
Calculate earnings premium versus tuition and opportunity cost for graduate degrees.
Inputs
Results
10-Year ROI
48.2%
Annual Earnings Premium$30,000
Break-Even Point6
Total Investment$180,000
10-Year Net Return$86,770.08
Lifetime Net Return (30yr)$1,247,262.47
Opportunity Cost$80,000
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your Current Annual Salary (or the salary you would earn without the degree).
- Enter Expected Post-Grad Salary — research median salaries for your target role and field.
- Set Total Tuition for the entire program and Program Length in years.
- Add Annual Living Expenses and any Annual Earnings During Program (assistantships, part-time income).
- Review Annual Earnings Premium, Break-Even Point, and 10-Year ROI to evaluate whether the degree pays off.
- Compare 10-Year Net Return vs. Lifetime Net Return (30yr) to see the long-term financial case for the degree.
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