Is your major worth the money?
Pick a college major and see what graduates really earn, how much debt they carry,
and which schools give you the most for your tuition — straight from federal data.
How we measure “worth.” All figures are from the U.S. Dept of Education College
Scorecard (2025). Salary = median earnings of graduates ~5 years after finishing.
Real cost = the school's median net price after grants & scholarships (including living
costs) × 4 years — the closest figure to what families actually pay, and far more honest than sticker
price or federal-loan totals. Pays for itself in = how many years of the extra earnings a
graduate makes (vs. the ~$45,000 a high-school grad earns) it takes to recoup that 4-year cost.
Debt-to-income = median federal loan ÷ starting salary. Net price reflects only students who
received federal aid; we use medians, not averages, to avoid distortion by a few wealthy families.
For exploration, not advice. These are population statistics, not predictions
about any individual. Earnings vary by person, location, and economy. This is not financial or
admissions advice — consult your school's financial-aid office or a counselor before borrowing.