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The Evolution of College Earnings and Costs: Analyzing the Financial Value of Bachelor's Degrees Between 2019 and 2021 and Predicting the Future Cost of College

Kibler, Jessica N.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1745332363016589

Abstract Details

2025, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Ohio University, Business Administration.
Utilizing data from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard website, this study consists of two parts, which are calculating program-specific net present values (NPV) for 2019 and 2021 graduates and using linear regression to predict future college costs for each included institution.  A paired t-test conducted on the differences in NPV between 2019 and 2021 shows that the majors with the most significant differences in values were in healthcare, engineering, and business fields, which supports broader trends in salary growth, hiring, and industry performance.  The second part of the study, predicting future college costs, finds future annual academic year costs for each institution included through the 2027-28 academic year.  These costs were analyzed by control type, geographic region, and urban versus rural designation.  This data indicates an increasing gap between the costs of public and private universities. Additionally, the study shows that colleges in the Northeast are more expensive than in other regions, and schools in urban areas are more costly than those in rural areas.  Overall, this study sets the stage for future research to be done on degree program values and the predictability of them once more data is available, which was the original intention of this undergraduate thesis.
Ehsan Ardjmand (Advisor)
57 p.
Business Administration; Economics; Education Finance; Finance; Higher Education
college; college costs; tuition costs; NPV; value of college; major choice; degree valuation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kibler, J. N. (2025). The Evolution of College Earnings and Costs: Analyzing the Financial Value of Bachelor's Degrees Between 2019 and 2021 and Predicting the Future Cost of College [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1745332363016589

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kibler, Jessica. The Evolution of College Earnings and Costs: Analyzing the Financial Value of Bachelor's Degrees Between 2019 and 2021 and Predicting the Future Cost of College. 2025. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1745332363016589.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kibler, Jessica. "The Evolution of College Earnings and Costs: Analyzing the Financial Value of Bachelor's Degrees Between 2019 and 2021 and Predicting the Future Cost of College." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2025. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1745332363016589

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1745332363016589
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© 2025, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12