Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 3 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$232,793 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
170.8 yrsModeled economic break-even
−94%Modeled 10-year ROI
$46,448Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$46,448Median reported earnings · year 4
$46,183Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,000Median federal debt
13thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
3Reporting programs
3With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$35,485National median$46,44875th percentile$46,448
3 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Framingham State University$59,5552University of Wisconsin-Platteville$46,4483University of Central Oklahoma$35,485Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
NO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Framingham State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Framingham, MA | $59,555 | $25,000 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleBachelor's Degree | Platteville, WI | $46,448 | Not available | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | University of Central OklahomaBachelor's Degree | Edmond, OK | $35,485 | Not available | -138% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.