Statistics: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 18 reporting college programs.
$129,762 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
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
- $87,034
- Federal debt
- $18,875
- Reporting programs
- 2
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $87,335
- Federal debt
- $20,150
- Reporting programs
- 52
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $128,684
- Federal debt
- $16,041
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $129,762
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 18
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.
1Columbia University in the City of New York$167,8482University of Chicago$161,8423Georgetown University$143,6194California State University, East Bay$142,6065North Carolina State University at Raleigh$137,1046Villanova University$135,7757Carnegie Mellon University$132,4078Texas A&M University-College Station$130,4369Iowa State University$130,13110Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$129,392Observed 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. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $167,848 | Not available | Baseline needed | $21,590 |
| 2 | University of ChicagoMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $161,842 | Not available | Baseline needed | $14,860 |
| 3 | Georgetown UniversityMaster's Degree | Washington, DC | $143,619 | Not available | Baseline needed | $40,815 |
| 4 | California State University, East BayMaster's Degree | Hayward, CA | $142,606 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,320 |
| 5 | North Carolina State University at RaleighMaster's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $137,104 | Not available | Baseline needed | $17,303 |
| 6 | Villanova UniversityMaster's Degree | Villanova, PA | $135,775 | Not available | Baseline needed | $43,756 |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityMaster's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $132,407 | Not available | Baseline needed | $31,944 |
| 8 | Texas A&M University-College StationMaster's Degree | College Station, TX | $130,436 | Not available | Baseline needed | $21,315 |
| 9 | Iowa State UniversityMaster's Degree | Ames, IA | $130,131 | Not available | Baseline needed | $18,589 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusMaster's Degree | University Park, PA | $129,392 | Not available | Baseline needed | $32,875 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusMaster's Degree | University Park, PA | $129,392 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,550 |
| 12 | New York UniversityMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $128,820 | Not available | Baseline needed | $37,050 |
| 13 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickMaster's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $127,279 | Not available | Baseline needed | $24,406 |
| 14 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $127,189 | Not available | Baseline needed | $3,033 |
| 15 | University of Houston-DowntownMaster's Degree | Houston, TX | $117,242 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,542 |
| 16 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMaster's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $113,198 | Not available | Baseline needed | $13,138 |
| 17 | Loyola University ChicagoMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $111,280 | Not available | Baseline needed | $36,079 |
| 18 | Kennesaw State UniversityMaster's Degree | Kennesaw, GA | $100,810 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,048 |
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.