Years of earnings to cover four years of college, by state

Median across four-year public and private nonprofit colleges of four years of average net price divided by former students' median earnings ten years after entry. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Source reporting year 2025.

Median years of earnings to cover four years of net price

0.6 yrs–1.1 yrs
1.1 yrs–1.2 yrs
1.2 yrs–1.3 yrs
1.3 yrs–1.4 yrs
1.4 yrs–2.0 yrs
Not reported

Source: CollegesRef analysis of U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data. Hover or tab to a state for details; select it to open its colleges.

Map by CollegesRef, How many years of earnings pay for a degree, by state.