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National ROI Summary
Aggregated analysis of return on investment across US institutions, grouped by credential level.
United States - National Aggregate
Institution Statistics
Financial ROI
| Level | Institutions | NPV (Zero Cost) Pos / Neg | NPV (Med Cost) Pos / Neg | NPV (Full Cost) Pos / Neg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 2,404 | 28% n=2,071 | 24% n=2,069 | 21% n=2,071 |
| Associate | 942 | 62% n=859 | 52% n=859 | 45% n=859 |
| Bachelor | 1,897 | 70% n=1,679 | 42% n=1,679 | 21% n=1,679 |
| Master's | 185 | n=0 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Doctoral | 52 | n=0 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Total | 5,480 | 50% n=4,609 | 36% n=4,607 | 25% n=4,609 |
Student Outcomes
| Level | Institutions | Grad Earnings >HS / ≤HS | Social ROI Pos / Neg | Pell ROI Pos / Neg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 2,404 | 47% n=1,917 | 25% n=2,071 | 19% n=2,071 |
| Associate | 942 | 83% n=891 | 54% n=859 | 39% n=859 |
| Bachelor | 1,897 | 92% n=1,776 | 43% n=1,679 | 10% n=1,679 |
| Master's | 185 | 100% n=11 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Doctoral | 52 | 100% n=4 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Total | 5,480 | 72% n=4,599 | 37% n=4,609 | 20% n=4,609 |
Student Statistics
Financial ROI
| Level | Students | NPV (Zero Cost) Pos / Neg | NPV (Med Cost) Pos / Neg | NPV (Full Cost) Pos / Neg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 2,223,433 | 64% n=2,144,440 | 50% n=2,142,934 | 45% n=2,144,440 |
| Associate | 3,535,245 | 70% n=3,478,329 | 63% n=3,478,329 | 53% n=3,478,329 |
| Bachelor | 11,797,049 | 91% n=11,485,069 | 70% n=11,485,069 | 43% n=11,485,069 |
| Master's | 70,478 | n=0 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Doctoral | 63,655 | n=0 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Total | 17,689,860 | 84% n=17,107,838 | 66% n=17,106,332 | 46% n=17,107,838 |
Student Outcomes
| Level | Students | Grad Earnings >HS / ≤HS | Social ROI Pos / Neg | Pell ROI Pos / Neg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 2,223,433 | 80% n=2,166,423 | 54% n=2,144,440 | 40% n=2,144,440 |
| Associate | 3,535,245 | 91% n=3,506,986 | 64% n=3,478,329 | 47% n=3,478,329 |
| Bachelor | 11,797,049 | 98% n=11,734,396 | 74% n=11,485,069 | 21% n=11,485,069 |
| Master's | 70,478 | 100% n=6,403 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Doctoral | 63,655 | 100% n=2,619 | n=0 | n=0 |
| Total | 17,689,860 | 94% n=17,416,827 | 69% n=17,107,838 | 29% n=17,107,838 |
Visualization Key
The Donut Chart shows the visual breakdown of positive vs negative results.
Green = Positive %
Red = Negative %
Credential Classification & Durations
Institutions are grouped into rows by their predominant degree level. However, the ROI calculations for each school reflect its actual highest degree awarded. If a predominantly Certificate-awarding school offers Associate degrees, or a predominantly Associate-awarding school offers Bachelor's degrees, the metrics correctly reflect those longer program durations.