At $40,665/yr net price, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $101,253/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $67,253/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $40,665 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $162,660 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $101,253/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$67,253/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,862/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $32,345/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,656/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,396/yr |
| $110,001+ | $45,616/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $111,992 | $24,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $90,049 | $24,834 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $79,473 | $24,499 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,341 | $26,161 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,600 | $25,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,331 | $26,441 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,273 | $24,132 |
The Risk Factor
81.7% of students at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Rose-Hulman pays off. You graduate with median earnings above $100k after ten years while carrying $25,000 in debt, a ratio that puts your loans in the range of a single year's salary bump. That is a strong return for a private engineering school, and the 90% retention and 82% graduation rates mean you are likely to actually finish and collect on it.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Computer Science graduates clear $111,992, the top earner here by a wide margin. Computer Engineering follows at around $90k. Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, and Electrical Engineering all land in the mid-$70k range with similar debt loads, so a math or EE degree here earns roughly $35,000 a year less than a CS degree while costing you the same to attend. Every listed program is engineering, math, or computing, so if you are not set on a technical field, this is not your school.
The main financial risk is the sticker cost. At over $40,000 a year net, you pay real money up front, and the return only materializes if you graduate into a technical job. If you switch out of engineering or drop below the demanding coursework, you lose the earnings premium that justifies the price.
The net price tiers barely move with income. Earning under $30k, you still pay about $33,862. families over $110k pay $45,616. That flat curve means lower-income families here get a smaller discount than at schools with steeper need-based aid, so budget for close to full price regardless of your bracket.
This school fits you if you want to become an engineer or software developer and can handle the workload. If you want a cheaper degree or a non-technical major, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology worth the high tuition cost?
Rose-Hulman graduates earn $101,253 on average 10 years after graduation, which helps justify the $40,665 annual net price. The school's engineering and computer science focus produces strong salary outcomes, though the return depends heavily on your specific major.
What Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology programs have the best ROI?
Computer Science leads with $111,992 average earnings, followed by Computer Engineering at $90,049. Mathematics graduates earn significantly less at $76,460, making program choice critical for ROI at Rose-Hulman.
How much student debt do Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates typically have?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable given the strong earning potential in engineering fields. However, students in lower-paying majors like Mathematics may struggle more with loan repayment.
Does Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $40,665 after aid, Rose-Hulman still requires significant financial investment from most families. The 73% acceptance rate means less competition for merit aid compared to more selective engineering schools.