College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, LA 7,767 Undergrads 76.2% Grad Rate
School Website|Financial Calculator
Share
Total Cost
$87,004
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$39,949
After Aid
Median Earnings
$73,816
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$39,949
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$73,816
Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$63,268
Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate76.2%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age22.7
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients9.9%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time94.8%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS72.0%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
14.0%
SAT Avg
1,448
SAT Reading
25th: 70071075th: 750
SAT Math
25th: 70072575th: 770
ACT Composite
25th: 313275th: 34

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

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
+$643k
+$176k
+$159k
Median Cost$40k/yr
+$499k
+$32k
+$15k
Full Cost$87k/yr
+$330k
-$137k
-$154k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
29
∞
Median Cost$40k/yr
56
10%
Full Cost$87k/yr
Never
-49%
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 Return-2%

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-66%
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, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$48,205
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
+$26k
Marketing
CertCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,757
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Associate's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Programming
AssocCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,070
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,180
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,255
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,425
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,309
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,074
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,146
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$56,847
Natl Median: $46,676
Lifetime Value Added
-$118k
Architecture
BachCIP: 0402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$71,413
Natl Median: $66,914
Lifetime Value Added
-$14k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$48,738
Natl Median: $56,625
Lifetime Value Added
-$193k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$13,875
Earnings (4yr)
$47,777
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$193k
Median Debt
$22,500
Earnings (4yr)
$112,914
Natl Median: $93,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$313k
Median Debt
$19,250
Earnings (4yr)
$95,966
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$184k
Median Debt
$14,500
Earnings (5yr)
$70,503
Natl Median: $66,697
Lifetime Value Added
-$21k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$96,174
Natl Median: $98,158
Lifetime Value Added
+$171k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,429
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$23,082
Earnings (4yr)
$76,945
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
+$39k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$58,406
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
-$115k
Median Debt
$29,250
Earnings (4yr)
$67,047
Natl Median: $83,439
Lifetime Value Added
-$37k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
$19,000
Earnings (4yr)
$118,931
Natl Median: $107,009
Lifetime Value Added
+$359k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dance
BachCIP: 5003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,980
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$79,957
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
+$62k
Engineering Physics
BachCIP: 1412
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,154
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (4yr)
$57,752
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,250
Earnings (4yr)
$129,850
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$441k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$43,430
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$237k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,190
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,459
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$71,325
Natl Median: $68,245
Lifetime Value Added
-$4k
Median Debt
$26,125
Earnings (4yr)
$47,791
Natl Median: $61,296
Lifetime Value Added
-$193k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (5yr)
$60,172
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$101k
Median Debt
$25,697
Earnings (4yr)
$64,914
Natl Median: $67,934
Lifetime Value Added
-$54k
Homeland Security
BachCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,193
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$20,000
Earnings (4yr)
$77,300
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$43,025
Natl Median: $53,266
Lifetime Value Added
-$241k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$45,212
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
-$222k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$19,375
Earnings (4yr)
$98,503
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$203k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$15,728
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,941
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,250
Earnings (4yr)
$52,535
Natl Median: $55,693
Lifetime Value Added
-$153k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$47,709
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$194k
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$48,464
Natl Median: $62,451
Lifetime Value Added
-$187k
Non-Professional Legal Studies
BachCIP: 2200
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,959
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (5yr)
$53,219
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
-$156k
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$71,160
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
-$5k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$20,250
Earnings (4yr)
$60,260
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$90k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$58,507
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,169
Natl Median: $50,497
Lifetime Value Added
-$258k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,390
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$79,925
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
+$62k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,169
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$36,787
Earnings (4yr)
$51,290
Natl Median: $53,366
Lifetime Value Added
-$164k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,812
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (4yr)
$50,847
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$167k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,564
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,066
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $79,861
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Legal Support Services
PB-CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$46,160
Natl Median: $55,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$250k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,116
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Master's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$108,515
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$223k
Anthropology
MastCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,276
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Applied Mathematics
MastCIP: 2703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $116,060
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$54,780
Natl Median: $69,582
Lifetime Value Added
-$245k
Architecture
MastCIP: 0402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$72,973
Natl Median: $74,139
Lifetime Value Added
-$70k
Area Studies
MastCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,936
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$51,182
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,271
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $110,121
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $106,375
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$83,281
Earnings (4yr)
$124,014
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$376k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,656
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$113,672
Natl Median: $125,988
Lifetime Value Added
+$286k
Median Debt
$49,056
Earnings (5yr)
$77,033
Natl Median: $76,837
Lifetime Value Added
-$48k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,499
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dance
MastCIP: 5003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,404
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,978
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$99,713
Earnings (4yr)
$77,285
Natl Median: $82,527
Lifetime Value Added
-$32k
Economics
MastCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,743
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$80,203
Earnings (4yr)
$120,904
Natl Median: $110,694
Lifetime Value Added
+$349k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$17,624
Natl Median: $49,079
Lifetime Value Added
-$597k
Genetics
MastCIP: 2608
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $79,463
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$58,221
Natl Median: $89,981
Lifetime Value Added
-$181k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$63,186
Natl Median: $81,651
Lifetime Value Added
-$168k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $78,149
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,496
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,360
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,350
Earnings (4yr)
$89,707
Natl Median: $95,461
Lifetime Value Added
+$77k
Homeland Security
MastCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$96,925
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $97,121
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$34,319
Earnings (4yr)
$100,322
Natl Median: $101,855
Lifetime Value Added
+$170k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $101,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,438
Natl Median: $65,716
Lifetime Value Added
-$228k
Median Debt
$73,344
Earnings (4yr)
$122,230
Natl Median: $124,807
Lifetime Value Added
+$361k
Median Debt
$47,044
Earnings (2yr)
$35,600
Natl Median: $84,750
Lifetime Value Added
-$407k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$33,993
Natl Median: $73,229
Lifetime Value Added
-$424k
Nutrition Sciences
MastCIP: 3019
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,126
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$46,118
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,305
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$49,484
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$87,279
Earnings (4yr)
$81,964
Natl Median: $82,751
Lifetime Value Added
+$9k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,997
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$69,307
Earnings (4yr)
$55,716
Natl Median: $65,123
Lifetime Value Added
-$226k
Statistics
MastCIP: 2705
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $123,816
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,772
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Graduate Certificates

Public Health
Gr-CertCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,423
Natl Median: $88,684
Lifetime Value Added
-$144k
Social Work
Gr-CertCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$58,627
Natl Median: $69,362
Lifetime Value Added
-$123k

Doctoral Degrees

Anthropology
DocCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,473
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Area Studies
DocCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,249
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
DocCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,983
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $131,848
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$51,273
Natl Median: $99,578
Lifetime Value Added
-$402k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $141,187
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
DocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $115,386
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $97,173
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
DocCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $135,560
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,039
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $130,822
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
DocCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,550
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,534
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,285
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $193,221
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
DocCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,656
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,176
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
DocCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,449
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
DocCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $130,153
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $98,707
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
DocCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $108,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,860
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
DocCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $98,285
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
DocCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $88,618
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Professional Degrees

Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$149,237
Earnings (5yr)
$107,934
Natl Median: $107,773
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Medicine
ProfCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$322,603
Earnings (5yr)
$142,881
Natl Median: $112,460
Lifetime Value Added
+$246k

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 decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.