Degree payback calculator
Put the full cost of a degree next to what it could add to your pay, and see roughly how long it takes to earn the cost back.
Your payback
- Extra pay per year
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- Total cost
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- Gain after 5 years
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- Gain after 10 years
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National figures: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, median weekly earnings of full-time workers aged 25 and over, 2025, multiplied by 52. Averages across all full-time workers; your own result depends on your field and role.
Plan my degree with an adviserReading your result
The calculator divides the total cost of the degree by the extra pay it could bring each year. With national figures, it uses the gap between the median earnings for your current education level and the level you want. With your own figures, it uses the pay you expect.
Things the estimate leaves out
- Pay rises you’d get anyway, and promotions a degree might unlock sooner
- Tax, and any employer funding that lowers your cost
- Credit for prior learning, which can cut tuition. Try the tuition savings estimator
US earnings by education, 2025
| Education | Median weekly | About yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | US$2,307 | US$119,964 |
| Master’s degree | US$1,876 | US$97,552 |
| Bachelor’s degree | US$1,578 | US$82,056 |
| Associate degree | US$1,135 | US$59,020 |
| Some college, no degree | US$1,062 | US$55,224 |
| High school diploma | US$966 | US$50,232 |
| Less than high school | US$770 | US$40,040 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays, 2025.