College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ 14,242 Undergrads 20.5% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$9,851
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$3,405
After Aid
Median Earnings
$50,345
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$3,405
Peer Midpoint: $17,333.5
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$50,345
Peer Midpoint: $34,461
Graduation Rate20.5%
Peer Midpoint: 68.7%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients38.4%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time24.7%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS58.6%

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
+$580k
+$189k
+$96k
Median Cost$3k/yr
+$577k
+$185k
+$93k
Full Cost$10k/yr
+$571k
+$179k
+$87k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
23
Median Cost$3k/yr
23
2934%
Full Cost$10k/yr
24
949%
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 Return1941%

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 Return407%
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
$6,278
Earnings (4yr)
$46,305
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
+$49k
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,658
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
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
Business Administration, Management and Operations
CertCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,589
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
-$13k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
CertCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$16,677
Natl Median: $38,675
Lifetime Value Added
-$283k
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
CertCIP: 1199
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,083
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Systems Analysis
CertCIP: 1105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,363
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
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$73,427
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$326k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,388
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
-$15k
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
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,816
Natl Median: $43,027
Lifetime Value Added
+$242k
Fire Protection
CertCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,270
Natl Median: $62,436
Lifetime Value Added
+$155k
Ground Transportation
CertCIP: 4902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,345
Natl Median: $52,118
Lifetime Value Added
+$50k
Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies
CertCIP: 5126
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$18,771
Natl Median: $27,180
Lifetime Value Added
-$247k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$34,908
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
CertCIP: 5100
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,833
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
CertCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$50,355
Natl Median: $40,962
Lifetime Value Added
+$82k
Human Resources Management and Services
CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$32,382
Natl Median: $61,907
Lifetime Value Added
-$88k
Legal Support Services
CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
CertCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,906
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
CertCIP: 1601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,242
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other
CertCIP: 4799
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,531
Natl Median: $63,413
Lifetime Value Added
+$259k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$15,288
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
-$288k
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$66,324
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$257k
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
CertCIP: 0907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Security Science and Technology
CertCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
CertCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$34,968
Natl Median: $43,190
Lifetime Value Added
-$74k
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
CertCIP: 5135
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $29,652
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Special Education and Teaching
CertCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,019
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
CertCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$32,071
Natl Median: $37,647
Lifetime Value Added
-$106k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,631
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
CertCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,570
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$7,375
Earnings (4yr)
$65,151
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$245k
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 0183
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$32,909
Natl Median: $34,862
Lifetime Value Added
-$97k

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$49,471
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
+$37k
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$7,000
Earnings (4yr)
$71,544
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$244k
Anthropology
AssocCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,638
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
AssocCIP: 4604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,216
Natl Median: $59,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$24k
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
$6,500
Earnings (4yr)
$54,551
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
+$86k
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Systems Analysis
AssocCIP: 1105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,167
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
AssocCIP: 1109
Median Debt
$4,900
Earnings (4yr)
$49,524
Natl Median: $54,971
Lifetime Value Added
+$37k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$4,500
Earnings (4yr)
$49,865
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$40k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$34,298
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$123k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$8,731
Earnings (4yr)
$72,213
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$250k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$30,813
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$152k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$38,289
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
-$60k
Education, General
AssocCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,020
Natl Median: $41,787
Lifetime Value Added
+$2k
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 (5yr)
$83,007
Natl Median: $72,916
Lifetime Value Added
+$332k
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
AssocCIP: 0502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,387
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
AssocCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,186
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fire Protection
AssocCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$68,557
Natl Median: $73,589
Lifetime Value Added
+$217k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$9,125
Earnings (4yr)
$48,412
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$26k
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
AssocCIP: 5111
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$43,049
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
-$27k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$6,856
Earnings (4yr)
$46,830
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
+$10k
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
AssocCIP: 1601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,796
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$5,250
Earnings (4yr)
$35,593
Natl Median: $40,734
Lifetime Value Added
-$103k
Political Science and Government
AssocCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,147
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Precision Metal Working
AssocCIP: 4805
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,450
Natl Median: $56,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$7k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$12,125
Earnings (4yr)
$86,300
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$376k
Sociology
AssocCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,144
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
AssocCIP: 5135
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $29,755
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,002
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
AssocCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$39,247
Natl Median: $37,656
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$4,937
Earnings (4yr)
$60,296
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$141k
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 0183
Median Debt
$7,000
Earnings (4yr)
$42,889
Natl Median: $41,460
Lifetime Value Added
-$29k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
AssocCIP: 5001
Median Debt
$7,000
Earnings (5yr)
$19,980
Natl Median: $32,799
Lifetime Value Added
-$268k

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Education, Other
PB-CertCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,531
Natl Median: $56,674
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
Special Education and Teaching
PB-CertCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,327
Natl Median: $63,623
Lifetime Value Added
-$142k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
PB-CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$47,934
Natl Median: $58,414
Lifetime Value Added
-$198k

Other Programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
DegCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,488
Natl Median: $56,308
Lifetime Value Added
-$294k

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.