College ROI: The Actual Math of Cost, Debt, and Earnings
Every figure here is federal — College Scorecard and IPEDS — and every payback number is our own math, formula shown. The median bachelor's returns $261,424 over 20 years. Some fields never clear the bill. Start with the pillar, then dig into a specific field.
$13,788
Median net price (public, after aid)
Scorecard, 2026
$261,424
Median 20-year ROI (105% return)
our math
$40,467
Average student debt per borrower
ED, Mar 2026
Start here
College ROI by Major: 30 Fields Ranked by Payback YearsThe deep table — earnings, debt, and payback for every major, ranked. If you read one page in this section, read this.
All guides in this topic
9 guides, newest data first.
College ROI by Major: 30 Fields Ranked
Payback runs 1.2 to 63.5 years. The full table.
Average Student Debt in 2026: $40,467 Per Borrower
By state and degree level — who owes the most.
What's a Good College ROI?
Net cost repaid within about five years.
Net Price vs Sticker Price: What You Actually Pay
The sticker is $30,990; the median family pays $13,788.
Highest-Paying Majors, Ranked
Engineering tops out near $478k over 20 years.
Colleges With the Best ROI
1,944 schools ranked by payback years.
Average Cost of College in 2026
$30,990 sticker, $13,788 net after aid.
Nursing Starting Salary
Starting $66,030–$78,610, not the $93,600 median.
Is an MBA Worth It?
Yes if it switches your field or someone else pays.