College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN 2,942 Undergrads 40.5% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$17,194
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$12,556
After Aid
Median Earnings
$54,581
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$12,556
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$54,581
Peer Midpoint: $50,127.5
Graduation Rate40.5%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients45.9%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time57.9%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS69.9%

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
+$577k
+$61k
+$93k
Median Cost$13k/yr
+$554k
+$38k
+$70k
Full Cost$17k/yr
+$545k
+$30k
+$61k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
27
Median Cost$13k/yr
31
302%
Full Cost$17k/yr
33
193%
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 Return471%

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 Return67%
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)
$43,282
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
+$8k
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
CertCIP: 0105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $28,266
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
American Sign Language
CertCIP: 1616
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,771
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
CertCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,028
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,675
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 Systems Networking and Telecommunications
CertCIP: 1109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,162
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
CertCIP: 1204
Median Debt
$7,750
Earnings (4yr)
$22,027
Natl Median: $26,307
Lifetime Value Added
-$227k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$35,268
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
-$79k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Design and Applied Arts
CertCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,116
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,359
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$73,127
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$315k
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fire Protection
CertCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,436
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$18,882
Earnings (4yr)
$43,499
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
+$11k
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$63,894
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
+$224k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,907
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Legal Support Services
CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
CertCIP: 3103
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,207
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services
CertCIP: 4605
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,996
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (4yr)
$59,866
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$183k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
CertCIP: 5138
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,020
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
CertCIP: 5135
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$22,667
Natl Median: $29,652
Lifetime Value Added
-$210k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,134
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$61k

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$18,336
Earnings (4yr)
$43,659
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
-$38k
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
AssocCIP: 0105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,692
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$28,960
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$19,654
Earnings (4yr)
$60,950
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$130k
American Sign Language
AssocCIP: 1616
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,886
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
AssocCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,758
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
AssocCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business/Commerce, General
AssocCIP: 5201
Median Debt
$18,250
Earnings (4yr)
$49,931
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
+$24k
Chemistry
AssocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,597
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
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 (2yr)
$31,133
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
-$152k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$16,594
Earnings (4yr)
$62,231
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Computer Programming
AssocCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,903
Natl Median: $58,070
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
AssocCIP: 1109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$53,280
Natl Median: $54,971
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Construction Management
AssocCIP: 5220
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$57,698
Natl Median: $72,110
Lifetime Value Added
+$100k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$49,230
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$17k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$12,525
Earnings (4yr)
$55,475
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$78k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
$11,341
Earnings (4yr)
$54,350
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
+$67k
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
AssocCIP: 4603
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$90,982
Natl Median: $70,808
Lifetime Value Added
+$401k
Engineering, General
AssocCIP: 1401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,916
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
AssocCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,095
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
AssocCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,650
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5218
Median Debt
$13,836
Earnings (4yr)
$52,931
Natl Median: $46,500
Lifetime Value Added
+$54k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$21,000
Earnings (4yr)
$44,794
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$27k
Human Resources Management and Services
AssocCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$14,287
Earnings (4yr)
$49,930
Natl Median: $54,425
Lifetime Value Added
+$24k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$47,411
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$585
Music
AssocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,056
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
AssocCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,634
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
AssocCIP: 5139
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$64,826
Natl Median: $62,755
Lifetime Value Added
+$154k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$19,000
Earnings (4yr)
$71,406
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$226k
Teaching Assistants/Aides
AssocCIP: 1315
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,642
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$63,817
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$157k

Other Programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
DegCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,308
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

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.