Where Data Tells the Story
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The average return on investment of a degree in the U.S., based on data from CollegeNPV.
The return on investment of a degree is the expected lifetime value of the degree (net of debt) compared to entering the workforce after high school.
Engineering, computer and information sciences, mathematics, and engineering technician degrees are the most valuable degrees in the U.S. when looking at expected lifetime income minus debt compared to working right after high school.
As for specific programs, Harvard University's computer science degree ranks first for ROI, according to CollegeNPV.
Graduates of this program can expect an ROI of over $4 million in their lifetime, with $256,539 in median income and $14,000 in median debt.
On the other end, humanities degrees like visual and performing arts, theology, and English are among the least valuable degrees when looking at lifetime earnings.