Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 4 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$268,315 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.
232.7 yrsModeled economic break-even
−96%Modeled 10-year ROI
$46,205Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$46,205Median reported earnings · year 4
$44,221Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,000Median federal debt
13thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
9IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
2With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 3 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
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.
CURRENT VIEW
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,205
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 4
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,351
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 7
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $99,094
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $90,521
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
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$44,242National median$46,20575th percentile$44,242
2 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.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
4 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,168Federal debt$22,500Annual net price$16,6742The University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,242Federal debt$41,944Annual net price$31,2663Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · PublicYear-4 earningsNot availableFederal debt$26,000Annual net price$32,8754Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA · PublicYear-4 earningsNot availableFederal debt$26,000Annual net price$19,550
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Arizona$48,1682The University of Arizona Global Campus$44,2423Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusNot available4Pennsylvania State University-World CampusNot availableObserved year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations and current wages
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job. Wage estimates describe occupations nationwide—not graduates of this degree.
Management Analysts$101,860 median wage898,280 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1111$60,640–$171,640 10th–90th percentileSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$101,110 median wage37,100 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-3099$66,120–$160,300 10th–90th percentileEducation Teachers, Postsecondary$75,350 median wage60,830 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1081$39,530–$126,860 10th–90th percentileStatisticians$105,650 median wage29,030 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-2041$64,000–$174,050 10th–90th percentileTraining and Development Managers$133,000 median wage48,050 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3131$79,550–$233,600 10th–90th percentileSocial Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$72,990 median wage16,580 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1069$40,670–$164,420 10th–90th percentileSurvey Researchers$69,460 median wage8,290 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-3022$39,260–$130,860 10th–90th percentileEducational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$50,890 median wage118,590 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-9099$25,180–$98,740 10th–90th percentile
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · May 2025 estimates, published May 2026.
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 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $48,168 | $22,500 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | The University of Arizona Global CampusBachelor's Degree | Chandler, AZ | $44,242 | $41,944 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | Not available | $26,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $32,875 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | Not available | $26,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $19,550 |
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.