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They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape the way you see the world, the passions you wish to pursue, and the person you hope to be. But much more than an emotional, personal, and professional starting point, college is a significant financial investment.
In the last 10 years, the cost of college has gone up by more than 25%, according to CNBC. For the 2019 academic year, private colleges cost an average of $48,510 per year, and public ones cost $21,370. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can stack up significantly, so you’re going to want to ensure that you’re putting your dollars into an institution that is going to make it worth your while. Luckily, those who have a bachelor’s degree earn about $32,000 more annually than those without, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. But some colleges have a higher return on investment than others.
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,282,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Bryan Pollard // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,283,000
- 10-year net present value: $189,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $193,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,291,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,294,000
- 10-year net present value: $70,000
- Cmcnicoll // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,298,000
- 10-year net present value: $143,000
- Yb20061462 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- HalloweenHJB // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $79,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,300,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Satyriconi // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,312,000
- 10-year net present value: $85,000
- Brandon Scheirman // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,313,000
- 10-year net present value: $142,000
- PumpkinSky // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $108,000
- Epdma // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $91,000
- UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,322,000
- 10-year net present value: $130,000
- Colgate University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,326,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Bmamlyuk // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,327,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,328,000
- 10-year net present value: $87,000
- Embry-Riddle Prescott // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,330,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Bgervais // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,333,000
- 10-year net present value: $115,000
- Trollness // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,335,000
- 10-year net present value: $96,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,343,000
- 10-year net present value: $125,000
- Vancho // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $181,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,360,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Stacie Wells // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,363,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Rybread // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,364,000
- 10-year net present value: $176,000
- Jha4ceb // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,372,000
- 10-year net present value: $135,000
- Mpspqr // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,374,000
- 10-year net present value: $84,000
- ImGz // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,377,000
- 10-year net present value: $112,000
- Dale182 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,378,000
- 10-year net present value: $161,000
- Gip3798 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,383,000
- 10-year net present value: $170,000
- Falcorian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,385,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Edward Orde // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,391,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,393,000
- 10-year net present value: $94,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,409,000
- 10-year net present value: $123,000
- Shuvaev // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,413,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Spatms // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,417,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Dbl228 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,418,000
- 10-year net present value: $114,000
- Difference engine // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,420,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Nicomachian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Paul Keleher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,430,000
- 10-year net present value: $185,000
- Michigan Technological University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,448,000
- 10-year net present value: $134,000
- Public domain // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,454,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Stagophile // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,455,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Paradoxsociety // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $167,000
- John Picken // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $169,000
- Stablenode // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,472,000
- 10-year net present value: $129,000
- Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,476,000
- 10-year net present value: $117,000
- BCLicious // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,492,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Rob Duane // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,493,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Arnaudh // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,508,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,516,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Craig Stanfill // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Brion Vibber // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Sulfur // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,543,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,548,000
- 10-year net present value: $213,000
- Steveewatkins // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,561,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Jay Yuan // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,563,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Nfutvol // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,578,000
- 10-year net present value: $152,000
- Jan Kronsell // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,607,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Axel Tschentscher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,616,000
- 10-year net present value: $113,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,626,000
- 10-year net present value: $157,000
- Ssantera // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,642,000
- 10-year net present value: $242,000
- Highsmith, Carol M. // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,662,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Bryan Duggan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,665,000
- 10-year net present value: $149,000
- Yipdw // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,687,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Besselfunctions // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,688,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Peter L Moore // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,725,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,729,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- JJonahJackalope // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,750,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Persage // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,754,000
- 10-year net present value: $173,000
- Bluedog423 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,761,000
- 10-year net present value: $210,000
- Jrc1234 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,769,000
- 10-year net present value: $208,000
- JSquish // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,777,000
- 10-year net present value: $218,000
- Ragesoss // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,786,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,794,000
- 10-year net present value: $203,000
- Mines CERSE // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,818,000
- 10-year net present value: $265,000
- Unknown // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,832,000
- 10-year net present value: $222,000
- Peetlesnumber1 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,833,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,851,000
- 10-year net present value: $187,000
- Bovineone // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,869,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- United States Maritime Administration // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,949,000
- 10-year net present value: $298,000
- Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,985,000
- 10-year net present value: $184,000
- Aziz bm // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,043,000
- 10-year net present value: $251,000
- Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,068,000
- 10-year net present value: $307,000
- Jawed Karim // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,273,000
- 10-year net present value: $311,000
- Balthazar Korab // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $247,000
- DJRazma // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,714,000
- 10-year net present value: $389,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $2,722,000
- 10-year net present value: $385,000
- UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
50 colleges with the best ROI
![]()
50 colleges with the best ROI
They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape the way you see the world, the passions you wish to pursue, and the person you hope to be. But much more than an emotional, personal, and professional starting point, college is a significant financial investment.
In the last 10 years, the cost of college has gone up by more than 25%, according to CNBC. For the 2019 academic year, private colleges cost an average of $48,510 per year, and public ones cost $21,370. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can stack up significantly, so you’re going to want to ensure that you’re putting your dollars into an institution that is going to make it worth your while. Luckily, those who have a bachelor’s degree earn about $32,000 more annually than those without, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. But some colleges have a higher return on investment than others.
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,282,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Bryan Pollard // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,283,000
- 10-year net present value: $189,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $193,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,288,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,291,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,294,000
- 10-year net present value: $70,000
- Cmcnicoll // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,298,000
- 10-year net present value: $143,000
- Yb20061462 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- HalloweenHJB // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,299,000
- 10-year net present value: $79,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,300,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Satyriconi // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,312,000
- 10-year net present value: $85,000
- Brandon Scheirman // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,313,000
- 10-year net present value: $142,000
- PumpkinSky // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $108,000
- Epdma // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,317,000
- 10-year net present value: $91,000
- UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,322,000
- 10-year net present value: $130,000
- Colgate University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,326,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Bmamlyuk // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,327,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,328,000
- 10-year net present value: $87,000
- Embry-Riddle Prescott // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,330,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Bgervais // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,333,000
- 10-year net present value: $115,000
- Trollness // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,335,000
- 10-year net present value: $96,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,343,000
- 10-year net present value: $125,000
- Vancho // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,350,000
- 10-year net present value: $181,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,360,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Stacie Wells // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,363,000
- 10-year net present value: $86,000
- Rybread // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,364,000
- 10-year net present value: $176,000
- Jha4ceb // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,372,000
- 10-year net present value: $135,000
- Mpspqr // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,374,000
- 10-year net present value: $84,000
- ImGz // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,377,000
- 10-year net present value: $112,000
- Dale182 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,378,000
- 10-year net present value: $161,000
- Gip3798 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,383,000
- 10-year net present value: $170,000
- Falcorian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,385,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- Edward Orde // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,391,000
- 10-year net present value: $151,000
- Aerojimmy // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,393,000
- 10-year net present value: $94,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,409,000
- 10-year net present value: $123,000
- Shuvaev // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,413,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Spatms // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,417,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Dbl228 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,418,000
- 10-year net present value: $114,000
- Difference engine // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,420,000
- 10-year net present value: $144,000
- Nicomachian // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $90,000
- Paul Keleher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,430,000
- 10-year net present value: $185,000
- Michigan Technological University // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,448,000
- 10-year net present value: $134,000
- Public domain // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,454,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Stagophile // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,455,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Paradoxsociety // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $167,000
- John Picken // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,462,000
- 10-year net present value: $169,000
- Stablenode // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,472,000
- 10-year net present value: $129,000
- Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,476,000
- 10-year net present value: $117,000
- BCLicious // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,492,000
- 10-year net present value: $192,000
- Rob Duane // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,493,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Arnaudh // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,508,000
- 10-year net present value: $136,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,516,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Craig Stanfill // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Brion Vibber // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,520,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Sulfur // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,543,000
- 10-year net present value: $122,000
- John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,548,000
- 10-year net present value: $213,000
- Steveewatkins // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,561,000
- 10-year net present value: $146,000
- Jay Yuan // Shutterstock
- 40-year net present value: $1,563,000
- 10-year net present value: $103,000
- Nfutvol // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,578,000
- 10-year net present value: $152,000
- Jan Kronsell // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,607,000
- 10-year net present value: $160,000
- Axel Tschentscher // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,616,000
- 10-year net present value: $113,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $1,626,000
- 10-year net present value: $157,000
- Ssantera // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,642,000
- 10-year net present value: $242,000
- Highsmith, Carol M. // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,662,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Bryan Duggan // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,665,000
- 10-year net present value: $149,000
- Yipdw // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,687,000
- 10-year net present value: $150,000
- Besselfunctions // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,688,000
- 10-year net present value: $153,000
- Peter L Moore // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,725,000
- 10-year net present value: $133,000
- Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,729,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- JJonahJackalope // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,750,000
- 10-year net present value: $183,000
- Persage // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,754,000
- 10-year net present value: $173,000
- Bluedog423 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,761,000
- 10-year net present value: $210,000
- Jrc1234 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,769,000
- 10-year net present value: $208,000
- JSquish // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,777,000
- 10-year net present value: $218,000
- Ragesoss // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,786,000
- 10-year net present value: $158,000
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,794,000
- 10-year net present value: $203,000
- Mines CERSE // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,818,000
- 10-year net present value: $265,000
- Unknown // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,832,000
- 10-year net present value: $222,000
- Peetlesnumber1 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,833,000
- 10-year net present value: $162,000
- Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,851,000
- 10-year net present value: $187,000
- Bovineone // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,869,000
- 10-year net present value: $246,000
- United States Maritime Administration // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,949,000
- 10-year net present value: $298,000
- Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $1,985,000
- 10-year net present value: $184,000
- Aziz bm // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,043,000
- 10-year net present value: $251,000
- Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,068,000
- 10-year net present value: $307,000
- Jawed Karim // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,273,000
- 10-year net present value: $311,000
- Balthazar Korab // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,421,000
- 10-year net present value: $247,000
- DJRazma // Wikimedia Commons
- 40-year net present value: $2,714,000
- 10-year net present value: $389,000
- Canva
- 40-year net present value: $2,722,000
- 10-year net present value: $385,000
- UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
More From NerdWallet
Cecilia Clark writes for NerdWallet. Email: cclark@nerdwallet.com.
The article 5 Things to Consider When Picking a College in the COVID-19 Era originally appeared on NerdWallet.
