Return on investment

I've pointed out in previous posts that colleges are often run like businesses. Because this is true, I often encourage my clients and their families to approach their enrollment decisions not only with "fit" in mind, but also finances. An important factor we consider when choosing a college is return on investment.

When it comes to college, there's more that goes into calculating return on investment than just stacking up tuition against average starting salaries out of college. We need to consider financial aid packages (both need-based and merit-based), scholarships, and total cost of attendance including room, board, books, transportation costs, and fees. We also need to consider the specific field the student is thinking of studying, and how graduates from that program tend to do on the job market after graduation. And of course, there are other factors, such as the school's reputation, culture, and quality of education, that may be less quantifiable. But the quantifiable numbers do allow us to ask more tangible questions: is it worth an additional $10,000 per year to attend your number one choice? Or would it be better to attend a school that's cheaper or closer to home?

Each year, U.S. News and World Report ranks colleges by return on investment. Here are some of their top choices for 2024-25:

California Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Pennsylvania
Stanford University
Princeton University
Carnegie Mellon University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Georgetown University
Lehigh University
Duke University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Georgia Tech
Columbia University
Santa Clara University
Boston College
Colorado School of Mines
Yale University
Dartmouth College

If you'd like to learn more about return on investment, researching colleges and universities, scheduling college tours, developing your college list, paying for college, and much more, use the contact form on my website to schedule your free one-hour consultation today!

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