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Return on College Investment

Explore jobs held by others in your area of interest to see:

  • Potential return on your investment in education
  • Recommended education for your chosen career
  • Related college majors
  • Number of prospective job openings

In addition, learn how to improve your chance at obtaining your desired job and maximizing your investment.

See our methodology.

Note: This tool focuses on historical financial outcomes of college graduates to help students who borrow for college make informed choices about a reasonable amount of student loan debt, based on available data. Future career choices are evolving, and you may make career and educational choices for reasons other than the financial outcomes shown here.

Your Interests

Select the type of degree you intend to earn.

An associate's degree is often a two-year degree; a bachelor's is a degree from a four-year institution; a master's degree requires additional education after or in conjunction with a bachelor's degree; and doctoral or professional degree requires more education than a master's. Many careers require a specific minimum degree.

Degree Type

Select a degree type.

Area of Interest

Select an area of interest.

Your Results

Select each job title to learn more about potential return on college investment based on top careers in your area of interest. You may also choose related areas of interest to explore additional jobs.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

Starting salary:

Recommended degree type:

New jobs needed nationally by 2031:

Return on Investment by College Options

Here are returns for possible -year program costs for your choice of . Your initial investment in program costs varies based on your cost of attendance and reduction of costs through scholarships, grants and other aid. The ROI Over Time bar shows increased or negative return on investment, after paying college costs, compared to a high school graduate in the same job.

Scenario 1: Program costs of $7,500/year or $15,000 over two years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $30,000/year or $60,000 over two years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $17,750/year or $71,000 over four years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $20,000/year or $80,000 over four years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $26,500/year or $105,000 over four years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $30,500/year or $122,000 over four years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $24,500/year or $147,000 over six years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $25,000/year or $150,000 over six years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $27,333/year or $164,000 over six years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $28,000/year or $168,000 over six years

Scenario 1: Program costs of $27,000/year or $216,000 over eight years
Scenario 2: Program costs of $29,125/year or $233,000 over eight years
Scenario 3: Program costs of $31,250/year or $250,000 over eight years
Scenario 4: Program costs of $33,500/year or $268,000 over eight years

Reality Check

Not all college graduates work in a field related to their college major.

On average, about 47% of people with college degrees have jobs considered to be on the career track for their major. Your odds of getting a job related to your major depend on the number of available jobs, how many graduates pursue them and where you stack up against your competition.

Common college majors working in this field.
Major Proportion with this job Percent working on career track

See more about this career.

Related Areas of Interest

You may also be interested in jobs in the following career areas.

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