Rust College— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$32,275
in 2021+12% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 12% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 61% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate declined by 24 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 36% | $5,250 |
| 1999 | — | — | 46% | $4,562 |
| 2000 | — | — | 37% | $3,659 |
| 2001 | — | — | 35% | $3,200 |
| 2002 | — | — | 34% | $3,900 |
| 2003 | — | — | 37% | $3,725 |
| 2004 | — | — | 29% | $3,226 |
| 2005 | — | — | 30% | $3,300 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13% | $3,000 |
| 2007 | — | — | 17% | $3,619 |
| 2008 | $28,700 | — | 29% | $4,500 |
| 2009 | — | — | 2% | $5,500 |
| 2010 | $24,800 | $7,827 | 23% | $5,500 |
| 2011 | — | $8,993 | 29% | $5,500 |
| 2012 | $22,900 | $6,954 | 28% | $5,500 |
| 2013 | $22,700 | $8,398 | 34% | $6,098 |
| 2014 | $22,900 | $8,500 | 20% | $7,348 |
| 2015 | $24,100 | $9,763 | 18% | $8,872 |
| 2016 | — | $9,777 | 35% | $10,500 |
| 2017 | — | $9,446 | 33% | $11,119 |
| 2018 | — | $9,784 | 39% | $11,717 |
| 2019 | — | $10,364 | 33% | $10,933 |
| 2020 | — | $11,317 | 28% | $11,226 |
| 2021 | $32,275 | $8,924 | 20% | $13,777 |
| 2022 | — | $8,392 | 27% | — |
| 2023 | — | $9,638 | 25% | — |
| 2024 | — | $8,751 | 27% | — |
| 2025 | — | $12,587 | 12% | — |