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Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY 6,099 Undergrads 31.8% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$14,348
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$7,765
After Aid
Median Earnings
$48,895
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$7,765
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$48,895
Peer Midpoint: $50,127.5
Graduation Rate31.8%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients48.6%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time73.7%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS56.5%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$522k
+$6k
+$37k
Median Cost$8k/yr
+$507k
-$8k
+$23k
Full Cost$14k/yr
+$495k
-$20k
+$11k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
33
∞
Median Cost$8k/yr
40
160%
Full Cost$14k/yr
48
41%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return192%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return8%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
CertCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
CertCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,896
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
+$116k
Biotechnology
CertCIP: 2612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,955
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
CertCIP: 4604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,012
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
-$74k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$9,250
Earnings (4yr)
$92,087
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$503k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$31,930
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$35,974
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
-$67k
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$76,464
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$351k
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,202
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,395
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Human Services, General
CertCIP: 4400
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,390
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4704
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$42,682
Natl Median: $54,900
Lifetime Value Added
+$25k
Security Science and Technology
CertCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,631
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teaching Assistants/Aides
CertCIP: 1315
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $24,479
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Associate's Degrees
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$41,953
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
-$46k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (4yr)
$78,735
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$300k
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,767
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,168
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
AssocCIP: 4604
Median Debt
$8,315
Earnings (4yr)
$52,749
Natl Median: $59,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$61k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$8,655
Earnings (4yr)
$49,282
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$27k
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,519
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$68,097
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
+$205k
Communication and Media Studies
AssocCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$31,535
Natl Median: $43,243
Lifetime Value Added
-$152k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$8,450
Earnings (4yr)
$58,940
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
+$120k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$6,862
Earnings (4yr)
$44,224
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$24k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$6,439
Earnings (4yr)
$35,337
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$113k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$14,581
Earnings (4yr)
$59,007
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$121k
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
AssocCIP: 5131
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,303
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$42,682
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
-$22k
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,241
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering, General
AssocCIP: 1401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,916
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1505
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,148
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
AssocCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$43,596
Natl Median: $31,650
Lifetime Value Added
-$30k
Graphic Communications
AssocCIP: 1003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,221
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,996
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$44k
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 5100
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,180
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
AssocCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,829
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$38,458
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
-$89k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$34,751
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$119k
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$41,342
Natl Median: $73,593
Lifetime Value Added
-$36k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
$11,450
Earnings (4yr)
$42,014
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
-$46k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$8,174
Earnings (4yr)
$41,222
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$54k
Mathematics
AssocCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,929
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1508
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,773
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$11,792
Earnings (2yr)
$21,508
Natl Median: $40,734
Lifetime Value Added
-$247k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
AssocCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,634
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Sciences
AssocCIP: 3018
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,630
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5118
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$45,933
Natl Median: $48,724
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$13,324
Earnings (4yr)
$84,516
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$352k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
AssocCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,162
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$10,859
Earnings (4yr)
$54,648
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$79k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.