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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 10,768 Undergrads 96.8% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$85,738
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$31,229
After Aid
Median Earnings
$111,371
10yr Post-Entry
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$31,229
Peer Midpoint: $19,729.5
Earnings (10yr)$111,371
Peer Midpoint: $53,747
Graduation Rate96.8%
Peer Midpoint: 58.5%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients16.4%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time95.6%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS88.9%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
5.9%
SAT Avg
1,545
SAT Reading
25th: 73074575th: 770
SAT Math
25th: 77078075th: 800
ACT Composite
25th: 343475th: 35
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
+$897k
+$500k
+$412k
Median Cost$31k/yr
+$784k
+$388k
+$300k
Full Cost$86k/yr
+$588k
+$192k
+$104k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
25
∞
Median Cost$31k/yr
30
267%
Full Cost$86k/yr
44
34%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 10-year 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 Return154%
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-20%
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
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
CertCIP: 5105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$224,402
Lifetime Value Added
+$1699k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
CertCIP: 5138
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$163,262
Lifetime Value Added
+$1134k
Bachelor's Degrees
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$15,000
Earnings (5yr)
$78,245
Lifetime Value Added
+$68k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
BachCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$15,593
Earnings (5yr)
$121,488
Lifetime Value Added
+$391k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$20,348
Earnings (5yr)
$116,666
Lifetime Value Added
+$355k
Chemical Engineering
BachCIP: 1407
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$154,695
Lifetime Value Added
+$636k
Cognitive Science
BachCIP: 3025
Median Debt
$18,820
Earnings (5yr)
$109,527
Lifetime Value Added
+$302k
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$15,000
Earnings (5yr)
$87,743
Lifetime Value Added
+$139k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$15,000
Earnings (5yr)
$298,016
Lifetime Value Added
+$1644k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$171,166
Lifetime Value Added
+$757k
Criminology
BachCIP: 4504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$36,848
Lifetime Value Added
-$242k
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$14,621
Earnings (5yr)
$152,236
Lifetime Value Added
+$618k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (5yr)
$59,903
Lifetime Value Added
-$71k
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
BachCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$24,035
Lifetime Value Added
-$359k
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
$12,999
Earnings (5yr)
$242,357
Lifetime Value Added
+$1267k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$50,835
Lifetime Value Added
-$145k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$10,000
Earnings (5yr)
$87,454
Lifetime Value Added
+$137k
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$10,470
Earnings (5yr)
$92,024
Lifetime Value Added
+$172k
International/Global Studies
BachCIP: 3020
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$84,653
Lifetime Value Added
+$155k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$17,412
Earnings (5yr)
$124,208
Lifetime Value Added
+$411k
Materials Engineering
BachCIP: 1418
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$98,625
Lifetime Value Added
+$221k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$12,910
Earnings (5yr)
$116,366
Lifetime Value Added
+$353k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
BachCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$12,634
Earnings (5yr)
$91,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$165k
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
BachCIP: 2615
Median Debt
$12,000
Earnings (5yr)
$94,630
Lifetime Value Added
+$191k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
$19,000
Earnings (2yr)
$61,516
Lifetime Value Added
-$29k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$14,250
Earnings (5yr)
$111,976
Lifetime Value Added
+$321k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$65,013
Lifetime Value Added
-$31k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$23,288
Earnings (5yr)
$114,013
Lifetime Value Added
+$336k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$68,815
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Systems Engineering
BachCIP: 1427
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$101,964
Lifetime Value Added
+$293k
Urban Studies/Affairs
BachCIP: 4512
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$72,949
Lifetime Value Added
+$29k
Master's Degrees
Architectural Sciences and Technology
MastCIP: 0409
Median Debt
$78,964
Earnings (5yr)
$69,629
Lifetime Value Added
+$121k
Architecture
MastCIP: 0402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$76,712
Lifetime Value Added
+$182k
Bioethics/Medical Ethics
MastCIP: 5132
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$192,347
Lifetime Value Added
+$1166k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
MastCIP: 1405
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$108,865
Lifetime Value Added
+$458k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$41,420
Earnings (5yr)
$253,891
Lifetime Value Added
+$1663k
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
MastCIP: 0403
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$84,356
Lifetime Value Added
+$248k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$110,094
Earnings (5yr)
$64,157
Lifetime Value Added
+$73k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$82,157
Earnings (5yr)
$279,525
Lifetime Value Added
+$1862k
Criminology
MastCIP: 4504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$53,358
Lifetime Value Added
+$5k
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
MastCIP: 2613
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$181,545
Lifetime Value Added
+$1075k
Education, General
MastCIP: 1301
Median Debt
$69,500
Earnings (5yr)
$76,962
Lifetime Value Added
+$184k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$55,857
Earnings (5yr)
$74,964
Lifetime Value Added
+$167k
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
MastCIP: 5207
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$239,096
Lifetime Value Added
+$1547k
Finance and Financial Management Services
MastCIP: 5208
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$384,547
Lifetime Value Added
+$2670k
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$38,672
Lifetime Value Added
-$166k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$313,615
Lifetime Value Added
+$2125k
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
MastCIP: 5199
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$284,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$1897k
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$81,178
Lifetime Value Added
+$220k
International/Global Studies
MastCIP: 3020
Median Debt
$58,474
Earnings (5yr)
$279,784
Lifetime Value Added
+$1864k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
MastCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$62,349
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
MastCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$265,790
Lifetime Value Added
+$1756k
Marketing
MastCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$235,674
Lifetime Value Added
+$1520k
Mechanical Engineering
MastCIP: 1419
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$113,006
Lifetime Value Added
+$493k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
MastCIP: 0301
Median Debt
$77,225
Earnings (2yr)
$52,107
Lifetime Value Added
-$8k
Physics
MastCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$60,839
Lifetime Value Added
+$77k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$114,068
Lifetime Value Added
+$503k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$66,000
Earnings (5yr)
$94,427
Lifetime Value Added
+$334k
Real Estate
MastCIP: 5215
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$295,198
Lifetime Value Added
+$1983k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$49,400
Earnings (5yr)
$136,122
Lifetime Value Added
+$690k
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$66,845
Earnings (5yr)
$66,376
Lifetime Value Added
+$93k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$48,432
Lifetime Value Added
-$44k
Systems Engineering
MastCIP: 1427
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$95,739
Lifetime Value Added
+$396k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$50,349
Earnings (5yr)
$72,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$145k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$48,713
Earnings (5yr)
$66,596
Lifetime Value Added
+$95k
Doctoral Degrees
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
DocCIP: 1405
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$137,284
Lifetime Value Added
+$454k
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
DocCIP: 2604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$85,478
Lifetime Value Added
+$78k
Chemistry
DocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$106,421
Lifetime Value Added
+$278k
Dentistry
DocCIP: 5104
Median Debt
$303,555
Earnings (5yr)
$154,560
Lifetime Value Added
+$578k
Education, General
DocCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$98,151
Lifetime Value Added
+$170k
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$158,655
Earnings (5yr)
$149,280
Lifetime Value Added
+$540k
History
DocCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$82,591
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Physics
DocCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$69,338
Lifetime Value Added
-$9k
Social Work
DocCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$67,101
Lifetime Value Added
-$26k
Professional Degrees
Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$171,488
Earnings (5yr)
$290,543
Lifetime Value Added
+$1513k
Medicine
ProfCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$109,430
Earnings (5yr)
$142,943
Lifetime Value Added
+$494k
Veterinary Medicine
ProfCIP: 0180
Median Debt
$191,170
Earnings (5yr)
$138,544
Lifetime Value Added
+$463k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate, 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 should not be compared with those Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors starting at age 18.