College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA 12,082 Undergrads 23.2% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$19,788
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$11,762
After Aid
Median Earnings
$48,786
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$11,762
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$48,786
Peer Midpoint: $50,127.5
Graduation Rate23.2%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients39.5%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time40.5%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS54.6%

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
+$520k
+$5k
+$36k
Median Cost$12k/yr
+$499k
-$17k
+$14k
Full Cost$20k/yr
+$484k
-$31k
-$271

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
34
Median Cost$12k/yr
45
67%
Full Cost$20k/yr
Never
-1%
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 Return107%

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 Return-23%
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
$8,956
Earnings (4yr)
$60,390
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
+$190k
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
$7,225
Earnings (4yr)
$55,482
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
+$139k
American Sign Language
CertCIP: 1616
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,771
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
CertCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
CertCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$12,275
Earnings (4yr)
$37,855
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
-$50k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
CertCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$42,176
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
-$3k
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)
$39,446
Natl Median: $38,675
Lifetime Value Added
-$33k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
CertCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$80,473
Natl Median: $50,984
Lifetime Value Added
+$387k
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Construction Trades, General
CertCIP: 4600
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,529
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$12,304
Earnings (4yr)
$47,471
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$54k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$16,000
Earnings (4yr)
$30,842
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
-$128k
Design and Applied Arts
CertCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$30,658
Natl Median: $36,116
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
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)
$64,803
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$234k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1503
Median Debt
$9,012
Earnings (4yr)
$65,351
Natl Median: $49,492
Lifetime Value Added
+$239k
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
CertCIP: 1500
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,354
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fire Protection
CertCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,436
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Ground Transportation
CertCIP: 4902
Median Debt
$3,345
Earnings (4yr)
$45,471
Natl Median: $52,118
Lifetime Value Added
+$33k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$16,973
Earnings (4yr)
$35,513
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
-$76k
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
$15,637
Earnings (4yr)
$34,757
Natl Median: $40,962
Lifetime Value Added
-$84k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$29,316
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
-$145k
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,294
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Legal Support Services
CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
$12,562
Earnings (4yr)
$42,246
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
CertCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$9,805
Earnings (4yr)
$45,052
Natl Median: $44,906
Lifetime Value Added
+$28k
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1508
Median Debt
$4,719
Earnings (4yr)
$66,662
Natl Median: $54,024
Lifetime Value Added
+$252k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$43,651
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
+$4k
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
CertCIP: 3103
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,207
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
$7,500
Earnings (4yr)
$43,620
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Security Science and Technology
CertCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teaching Assistants/Aides
CertCIP: 1315
Median Debt
$9,566
Earnings (4yr)
$30,002
Natl Median: $24,479
Lifetime Value Added
-$137k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$5,841
Earnings (4yr)
$51,095
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$93k
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 0183
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,862
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General
CertCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,600
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$12,599
Earnings (4yr)
$45,829
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
-$15k
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
$9,650
Earnings (4yr)
$50,925
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
+$35k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$10,450
Earnings (4yr)
$71,342
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$227k
American Sign Language
AssocCIP: 1616
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,886
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
AssocCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,283
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biological and Physical Sciences
AssocCIP: 3001
Median Debt
$9,259
Earnings (4yr)
$45,557
Natl Median: $50,181
Lifetime Value Added
-$18k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$9,300
Earnings (4yr)
$52,533
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$51k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
AssocCIP: 5204
Median Debt
$20,823
Earnings (4yr)
$41,825
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
-$55k
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)
-
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$13,230
Earnings (4yr)
$50,852
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
+$35k
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$13,050
Earnings (4yr)
$47,597
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$3k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$16,637
Earnings (4yr)
$37,564
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$11,348
Earnings (4yr)
$28,976
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$186k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$54,518
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
+$70k
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
AssocCIP: 4603
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$67,415
Natl Median: $70,808
Lifetime Value Added
+$191k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
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
$9,004
Earnings (4yr)
$76,492
Natl Median: $72,916
Lifetime Value Added
+$273k
Fire Protection
AssocCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
AssocCIP: 1203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,870
Natl Median: $52,962
Lifetime Value Added
+$54k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$45,431
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$19k
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
AssocCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,236
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1907
Median Debt
$16,642
Earnings (4yr)
$30,269
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$172k
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$69,811
Natl Median: $73,593
Lifetime Value Added
+$213k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
$13,307
Earnings (4yr)
$45,823
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
-$15k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$42,659
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$47k
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1508
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,773
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mechanics and Repairers, General
AssocCIP: 4700
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,973
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$23,200
Earnings (4yr)
$39,788
Natl Median: $40,734
Lifetime Value Added
-$75k
Music
AssocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,056
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$11,600
Earnings (4yr)
$78,996
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$295k
Social Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 4501
Median Debt
$9,163
Earnings (4yr)
$41,334
Natl Median: $43,146
Lifetime Value Added
-$60k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$7,000
Earnings (4yr)
$57,951
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$103k
Visual and Performing Arts, Other
AssocCIP: 5099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$16,820
Natl Median: $32,945
Lifetime Value Added
-$305k

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.