Are These Colleges Worth The High College Tuition?

The process of selecting a college holds significant weight as it molds the path of one’s future in enduring ways. When contemplating options for higher education, it becomes imperative to analyze the return on investment (ROI) associated with each academic institution. Opting for a college with an unfavorable ROI, where the educational benefits fail to align with the financial investment, proves to be an unwise decision. Enrolling in such a college could lead to burdensome student loan debt devoid of commensurate job prospects or avenues for career progression, thus leaving one saddled with overwhelming financial obligations.

In today’s fiercely competitive job landscape, employers place growing emphasis on practical competencies and pertinent hands-on experience. This underscores the importance of selecting a college that provides robust academic curricula along with opportunities for internships, networking, and personal growth. While the subsequent list of colleges is by no means indicative of subpar institutions, it remains crucial to appraise whether the ensuing ROI is genuinely worthwhile in terms of both monetary investment and temporal commitment.

Columbia International University

Situated in Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia International University presents a distinct alternative, boasting an average total expense of $133,000 for a comprehensive four-year degree. This sum stands in stark contrast to the expenditures associated with the renowned Columbia University. However, a noteworthy dichotomy exists when considering the return on investment (ROI) between these two institutions. Based on data from PayScale, the calculated ROI for CIU demonstrates a deficit of -$115,700, accentuating a substantial disparity.

Mississippi Valley State University

Though Mississippi Valley State University has a notable football team and marching band, with NFL star Jerry Rice as a football alum, the cost of $75,000 for a four year degree with an ROI after 20 years of -$174,800, if you’re not earning an NFL salary, you might want to reconsider.

Wilson College

Located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Wilson College was first a women’s liberal arts college that became the first college in the United States started from a woman’s endowment, thanks to Sarah Wilson, whom the school is named after. In 2013, the college became co-ed. A four year degree will set you back $156,000 and with a 20 year ROI of -$86,700, it’s important to think things through.

St. Andrews University

Located in Laurinsberg, North Carolina, St. Andrews University boasts a student to faculty ratio of 12:1. However, with a four year degree costing $167,000 and a 20 year ROI of -$98,000, you will certainly be paying a high price for the close mentorship.

Stillman College

Founded in 1876 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Stillman College is a very small college with about 615 students total, which is a tiny fraction of the neighboring University of Alabama. Tuition at Stillman is $98,700 for a four year degree. However, a 20 year ROI is at $-80,400, and the graduation rate is just 23%, and with such a small student body, these numbers aren’t the best.

Unity College

Located in Unity, Maine, Unity College prides itself as America’s Environmental College that aims to tackle issues like sustainability and helping the environment. While that’s a great cause, it will also be a pricey endeavor as a four year degree here will cost you $151,000. However, a 20 year ROI here is $-82,100 means that you could probably find a cheaper alternative to saving the environment.

Rust College

Located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Rust College is a small liberal arts college with a student body of just 800. Tuition here costs about $40,000 per year, and while that is a bargain for a U.S. college degree, with room and board and fees, the final cost is closer to $63,400. With an ROI of -$97,100 there might be better options for your education.

Shaw University

Shaw University is often referred to as “the mother of African American colleges” after its founding in 1865. It was created in order to educated freedman and since then has been a private liberal arts college. Unfortunately, a four year degree here will cost you $118,000 and a 20 year ROI is $-93,600, so it may not be the best option for everyone despite its historical significance.

Emory & Henry College

Located in Emory Virginia, and not to be confused with Emory University in Georgia, Emory & Henry College has a graduation rate of 51% and costs about $179,000 for a four year degree. With an 20 year ROI of $-91,300, it may not be the best option, especially when you compare with Emory University’s 20 year ROI which is $452,000.

Saint Augustine’s University

Saint Augustine’s University isn’t actually located in Saint Augustine, Florida but it’s actually located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The campus is quite beautiful, but unfortunately the school’s graduation rate is 24%. A four year degree costs $129,000 but a 20 year ROI is at -$77,700, which certainly makes it hard to justify.

Voorhees College

Voorhees College can be found in Denmark, South Carolina, which is a small town of 3000 people, which is funny considering it is named after an entire country. 600 of the town’s residents are students at Voorhees. The 20 year ROI here is -$153,400, which is especially bad with a tuition of $97,000 and a graduation rate of 26%.

Paine College

Paine College is the alma mater of John Wesley Gilbert, the first African American archaeologist, who graduated in 1886. Sadly, in 2016 the college was de-credited by the Southern Association of College and Schools, but luckily they managed to find an alternative accreditor. However, the school’s graduation rate is still at 20%, and with a 20 year ROI at -$94,700, the four year degree cost of $97,500 doesn’t make much sense.

Wheelock College

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Wheelock college was named after Lucy Wheelock, who was a descendent of John Adams and founded the college. Later, the school merged with Boston University’s School of Education. A four year degree will set you back $201,000, however, considering the 20 year ROI is -$140,700, that is a seriously high price tag.

Lindsey Wilson College

Lindsey Wilson College is located in Columbia, Kentucky, and while it has a noteworthy athletics department, a four year degree here will cost you $152,000, and the 20 year ROI is -$160,800, meaning you should think twice about enrolling. The college’s graduation rate is 34%.

Martin Luther College

Located in New Ulm, Minnesota, Martin Luther College is considered to be one of the most athletic colleges, with about a third of its 900 students being involved with varsity sports, and the other two thirds are involved in intramural sports. While the cost of a four year degree is $93,000, its 20 year ROI is -$123,200.

Johnson University

Johnson University is located in Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee which is not far from Knoxville. The Christian university offers a four year degree for about $89,800 but the 20 year ROI according for PayScale is -$97,900.

Claflin University

Claflin University is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina and its a small university with a student body of about 2000 students. It was there where the first black women received a college diploma back in 1884, to students Annie Thortne and Alice Moorer. However, a four year degree here costs $128,000 but the 20 year ROI is -$133,900, things could be improved.

Benedict College

Benedict College is located in Columbia, South Carolina and was founded as a teacher’s college in 1870. With a student population of 2000, the small university offers a four year degree for $124,000. The school’s graduation rate is 22%, which isn’t great, and neither is the 20 year ROI of -$76,800.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is located in Kentucky right near Green Lake reservoir. The campus is quite lovely, as is its satellite campus located in Hodgenville. The school’s strengths are its programs for music, education, and art. However, the 20 year ROI is -$76,800, while a four year degree costs $143,000.

Talladega College

Talladega College in Alabama was first founded in a building that was meant to be a Baptist academy. It was then bought by a governor who founded the college. The Talladega College Tornado Marching Band is quite well known and competes nationally. A four year degree at Talladega will cost a student $88,200, which is not necessarily a great investment considering the 20 year ROI is -$156,900.

Miles College

Located in Fairfield, Alabama, Miles College has recently been struggling because of its poor ROI, despite its $1 million donation from Charles Barkley in January 2020. Miles College’s graduation rate is an abysmal 17%, and with a four year degree costing $90,200 and an ROI of 20 years at -$164,600, Miles has a long way to go.

University of Montevallo

Public liberal arts college University of Montevallo in Alabama ranks high on the U.S. News & World Report list of good public universities, and its campus is absolutely beautiful. However, you should still weigh your options as a four year degree here costs about $143,000 but with a 20 year ROI of -$64,100, it may not be worth your while.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Located in Chickasha, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma has an in-state tuition of $6000 per year, or $24,000 for a four year degree. However, out of state students have to pay $99,700 for a four year degree! With a 20 year ROI of -$65,500, coming here from out of state simply does not make sense financially.

Morris College

Located in Sumter, South Carolina, Morris College’s student body helps make up the majority of the town’s 40,000 person population. A four year degree will set you back $92,200 here, but perhaps it is not a worthy investment, seeing as the 20 year ROI is -$106,800.

The University of Montana Western

The campus at the University of Montana Western is absolutely beautiful, with stunning architecture that is certainly picture worthy. Initially founded as a teachers college, it was later merged with the Montana University system. There are about 4500 students here. The school’s graduation rate is 46%, which is just okay. The 20 ROI of -$71,400 may not justify the price tag of $109,000 for a degree.

Maine College of Art

The Maine College of Art pulls in students from all around New England, all of which are passionate about becoming artists. Of course, it’s important to note that this is a serious undertaking because tuition her is $184,000 for a four year degree, while the 20 year ROI is -$163,600.

Brewton-Parker College

Located in Mount Vernon, Georgia, Brewton-Parker College is home to about 1120 students, which itself is about half of the town’s population. The school’s graduation rate is quite poor at 17%, certainly making it hard to justify the $113,000 price for a four year degree, not to mention the -$92,200 20 year ROI.

University of South Carolina Aiken

Located in Aiken, South Carolina, this brand of the University of South Carolina is the fastest of the USCs, and for in-state students is actually a great option. However, out of state students will pay $130,000 for a four year degree, but should be carefully considered considering the 20 year ROI is -$66,000.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

As mentioned, art is not always a very high paying profession, and therefore the price tag of $155,200 for a for year degree at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh may not be worth it, especially if you consider that the 30 year ROI is a staggering -$228,000.

Valley Forge Christian College

Located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Valley Forge Christian College will set back students $155,200 in order to obtain a four yer degree. However, the 30 year ROI is -$178,000, which means that you should really consider whether it is a worthy investment.

University of Maine at Presque Isle

While the University of Maine at Presque Isle is a great choice for students that are paying in-state tuition, students from out of state will have to fork over $122,100 for a four year degree here. That’s a pretty steep price, especially when the 30 year ROI here is -$167,000.

Florida Memorial University

Located in Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University has a very lovely campus with a lot of lively nature. However, that scenery will cost you $116,110 for a four year degree. Take into consideration that the 30 year ROI is -$114,000, meaning you’ll be paying a lot for that Florida sunshine.

Springfield College

Springfield College has quite an impressive accomplishment, as it is the birthplace of basketball, which was invented by alum James Naismith in 1891. Volleyball was also invented here by William Morgan in 1894. These days, a four year degree will cost you $174,700, but the 30 year ROI is -$101,000, so without an NBA salary, it might not be worth it.

Fayetteville State University

Located in North Carolina, Fayetteville State University will cost students $113,400 for a four year degree, but its 30 year ROI is -$82,600, meaning the investment many not be worth it in the long run.

Ozark Christian College

Located in Joplin, Missouri, Ozark Christian College is affiliated with the Restoration Movement of Christian churches. Students train in biblical higher education here, and a four year degree costs $78,000. However, the 30 year ROI is -$76,200.

Meredith College

Meredith College can be found in Raleigh, North Carolina and was first founded as a women’s college. It is now co-ed and is known for its many traditions. A four year degree here costs $150,400, but the 30 year ROI is -$66,200, which many not be worth it.

Medaille College

Located in Buffalo, New York, Medaille College was originally founded in 1875 by the Sister of St. Joseph as a Catholic teachers college. In 1967, the college became co-ed. Nowadays, a four year degree will cost you $139,700, but its 30 year ROI is -$60,400.

Lakeland University

Located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Lakeland University will set you back $132,400 for a four year degree. However, with a 30 year ROI of -$51,300, it’s a pretty steep price tag.

East Texas Baptist University

Located in Marshall, Texas, East Texas Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. A four year degree here will cost $114,900. It’s important to consider the 30 year ROI which sits at -$37,600.

Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University can be found at Spearfish, South Dakota. The small university has a student population of 4000, where students pay $84,170 for a four year degree. The 30 year ROI here is -$27,900.