Career Networks Institute— Earnings & Cost Trends

Graduate Earnings
$45,256
in 2021+59% since 2010
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
$21K$28K$35K$43K$50K2010201220142021$29K$45K
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
$18K$27K$36K$45K$55K20122014201620182020202220242025$20K$50K
Graduation Rate Over Time
100%100%100%100%100%2000200220042006200820102012201420162018202020222024202593%89%

Key Insights

  • •Earnings grew 59% since 2010 — graduates are earning more over time
  • •Net price increased 148% since 2012 — costs are rising faster than inflation
  • •Graduation rate declined by 4 percentage points since 2000

Year-by-Year Data

YearEarningsNet PriceGrad RateDebt
2000——93%$2,625
2001———$2,625
2002——100%$4,057
2003——81%$4,807
2004——100%$5,881
2005——81%$6,625
2006——75%$6,625
2007——73%$6,625
2008——73%$6,625
2009——78%$7,500
2010$28,500—72%$8,966
2011——74%$9,500
2012$23,200$20,04164%$9,500
2013$23,700$27,59566%$9,500
2014$26,300$26,38367%$9,500
2015$29,000$22,31474%$11,620
2016—$31,67464%$15,494
2017—$22,185—$17,200
2018—$26,15374%$18,688
2019—$22,55464%$23,215
2020—$25,07672%$23,820
2021$45,256$28,04757%$23,645
2022—$29,69574%—
2023—$23,83177%—
2024—$28,29277%—
2025—$49,67789%—