Literature: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 10 reporting college programs.
−$285,725 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.
Observed national outcomes
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.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $56,649
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 2
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,749
- Federal debt
- $26,553
- Reporting programs
- 10
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $56,707
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
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.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Pace University$58,0512American University$54,4363SUNY at Purchase College$49,1534University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg$45,7495University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown$45,7496University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus$45,7497The New School$42,6748Grand Canyon University$36,9869University of California, Los AngelesNot available10Bennington CollegeNot availableObserved 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.
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 | Pace UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $58,051 | $26,000 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | American UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $54,436 | $26,105 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | SUNY at Purchase CollegeBachelor's Degree | Purchase, NY | $49,153 | $25,000 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgBachelor's Degree | Greensburg, PA | $45,749 | $27,000 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownBachelor's Degree | Johnstown, PA | $45,749 | $27,000 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $45,749 | $27,000 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | The New SchoolBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $42,674 | $23,750 | -106% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Grand Canyon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $36,986 | $31,000 | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | Not available | $13,093 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $12,548 |
| 10 | Bennington CollegeBachelor's Degree | Bennington, VT | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $30,947 |
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.