The values of college degrees face continued scrutiny, and online compensation firm Payscale is trying to calculate their worth. But which schools were actually worth their price tags when the cards hit the table? These 25 schools may have the best returns on investment. Take a look:
24. HAVERFORD COLLEGE (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $219,100
Annual ROI: $1,222,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.6%
24. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $229,600
Annual ROI: $1,222,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.5%
23. NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $134,100 in-state; $182,700 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,223,000 in-state; $1,174,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 8.2% in-state; 7.0% out-of-state
21. SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $85,830 in-state; $96,720 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,228,000 in-state; $1,217,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 9.7% in-state; 9.2% out-of-state
21. BABSON COLLEGE (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $217,300
Annual ROI: $1,228,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.7%
20. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $213,200
Annual ROI: $1,234,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.7%
19. UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $212,200
Annual ROI: $1,250,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.8%
17. WILLIAMS COLLEGE (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $217,500
Annual ROI: $1,254,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.7%
17. RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $228,700
Annual ROI: $1,254,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.6%
16. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $221,600
Annual ROI: $1,262,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.7%
15. SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $217,800
Annual ROI: $1,282,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.8%
13. MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $96,380 in-state; $153,800 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,316,000 in-state; $1,259,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 9.5% in-state; 7.8% out-of-state
13. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (TIED)
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $214,900
Annual ROI: $1,316,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.9%
12. HARVARD UNIVERSITY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $218,200
Annual ROI: $1,334,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.9%
11. CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $220,300
Annual ROI: $1,341,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.9%
10. ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $209,400
Annual ROI: $1,354,000
30-year Net ROI: 7.1%
9. GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $87,030 in-state; $172,100 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,389,000 in-state; $1,304,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 10.0% in-state; 7.6% out-of-state
8. STANFORD UNIVERSITY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $230,100
Annual ROI: $1,432,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.9%
7. STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $237,300
Annual ROI: $1,461,000
30-year Net ROI: 6.9%
6. COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $107,100 in-state; $170,900 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,574,000 in-state; $1,510,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 9.7% in-state; 8.0% out-of-state
5. STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK-MARITIME COLLEGE
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $90,530 in-state; $124,800 out-of-state
Annual ROI: $1,586,000 in-state; $1,552,000 out-of-state
30-year Net ROI: 10.4% in-state; 9.2% out-of-state
4. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $215,700
Annual ROI: $1,606,000
30-year Net ROI: 7.5%
3. POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $214,300
Annual ROI: $1,622,000
30-year Net ROI: 7.6%
2. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $213,000
Annual ROI: $1,991,000
30-year Net ROI: 8.2%
1. HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
2012 cost of a 4-year degree: $221,700
Annual ROI: $2,113,000
30-year Net ROI: 8.3%
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