Worth The Tuition? These Are The Colleges With The Worst Return On Investment

Choosing a college is a significant decision that can have a long-lasting impact on one’s future. When considering higher education options, it is essential to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of each institution. Opting for a college with a poor ROI, where the benefits of education are not proportionate to the financial investment, is simply not worth it. Attending such a college could result in excessive student loan debt without adequate job prospects or career advancement opportunities, while leaving you in crippling student loan debt.

In today’s competitive job market, employers increasingly value practical skills and relevant experience, making it crucial to choose a college that offers strong academic programs and opportunities for internships, networking, and professional development. By no means are the following colleges institutions that are bad, however, it is essential to evaluate whether the ROI it worth your money and time.

Columbia International University

Columbia International University, located in Columbia, South Carolina, and with an average cost of $133,000 for a four year degree, it is much less than attending the other Columbia University. However there’s no comparison between the two schools’ ROIs. According to PayScale, the ROI for CIU is -$115,700.

Mississippi Valley State University

Mississippi Valley State University has a well known football team and renowned marching band, even boasting NFL star Jerry Rice as one of their team’s alums. However, with a cost of $75,000 for a four year degree and a 20 year ROI of -$174,800, you really do need an NFL salary to make the cost worth it.

Wilson College

Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania began as a women’s liberal arts college that made history by becoming the first US college started thanks to a woman’s endowment, from Sarah Wilson. The school became co-ed in 2013. However, with a cost of $156,000 for a four year degree and a 20 year ROI at -$86,700, perhaps this decision should be weighed carefully. Additionally, the school’s graduation rate is 39%.

St. Andrews University

St. Andrews University can be found in Laurinsberg, North Carolina. A degree here will cost about $167,000 however the student to faculty ratio is 12:1. Unfortunately, the ROI after 20 years is about -$98,000, so the benefit of close mentorship does come at quite a high cost.

Stillman College

Stillman College, founded in 1876, is located in Tuscaloosa Alabama, is a very small college with just 615 students. It pales in comparison to neighboring University of Alabama. The tuition for a 4 year degree here comes out to about $98,700 with a 20 year ROI of -$80,400. Additionally, the graduation rate sits at just 23%.

Unity College

Unity College, in Unity, Maine, calls itself America’s Environmental College and aims to help students make a difference in helping with environmental issues and sustainability. That’s a fantastic cause to get behind, unfortunately it comes with a high personal cost. For a four year degree, you need to shell out about $151,00. With a 20 year ROI of -$82,100 and a 54% graduation rate, perhaps there are less expensive ways to help the environment.

Rust College

Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi has an acceptance rate of 43%, as this tiny liberal arts college has a student population of just about 800. While tuition is $10,000 per year, which sadly is something of a bargain in the US, after fees and room and board, a four year degree comes out to about $63,400, the 20 year ROI is still -$97,100, which is pretty abysmal.

Shaw University

Shaw University was founded in 1865 and has been named “the mother of African American colleges.” It was founded in order to provide an education freedmen and has since become a private liberal arts school. Sadly, a with a four year degree costing $118,000 and a 20 year ROI of -$93,600, this might not be the best option.

Emory & Henry College

Emory & Henry University, in Emory, Virginia, not to be confused with Emory University in Georgia, costs students about $179,000 for a four year degree. The school’s graduation rate is 54%, which is not great compared with Emory’s 91% rate. Not to mention Emory & Henry’s 20 year ROI is -$91,300, which is miserable compared with Emory’s $452,000 ROI.

Saint Augustine’s University

You might think that Saint Augustine’s University is in Saint Augustine, Florida, it’s actually in Raleigh, North Carolina. While it has a lovely campus, unfortunately the university’s graduation rate is at a very low 24%. A four year degree here costs about $129,000, but a 20 year ROI of -$77,700 certainly doesn’t justify that price.

Voorhees College

Voorhees College is in Denmark, South Carolina, and while it might sound like its located in a whole other country, South Carolina’s Denmark is a small town of just about 3000 people, 600 of which are Voorhees students. With a 26% graduation rate and a 20 year ROI of -$153,400, the $97,000 might not seem so worth it after all.

Paine College

Paine College has an impressive history, including being the alma mater of John Wesley Gilbert, the first African American archaeologist, who graduated in 1886. Unfortunately, in 2016, Paine was de-credited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and though they did find an alternative accreditor, Paine’s graduation rate is still at an abysmal 20%. A four year degree costs $97,500, but its 20 year ROI is -$94,700.

Wheelock College

Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts is definitely not the first university people think of when Boston is mentioned. It is named after Lucy Wheelock, a descendent of John Adams, an educator that founded the college. It later merged with Boston University’s School of Education. A four year degree from here costs $201,000, but its 20 year ROI is -$140,700.

Lindsey Wilson College

Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky does have a solid athletics department, with several alumni going pro. However, with an average cost of $152,000 for a four year degree and a 20 year ROI of -$160,800, it might not be the best idea. Additionally, the school’s graduation rate is just 34%.

Martin Luther College

Martin Luther College can be found in New Ulm, Minnesota and is one of the physically active schools in the country. Of the 900 students who attend, about one third are involved with varsity sports and two thirds are involved with intramural sports. Unfortunately, the average cost for a four year degree is $93,000 but the 20 year ROI is -$123,200.

Johnson University

Johnson University in Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee is a Christian school that is about 12 miles from Knoxville. A four year degree here costs “only” $89,800, but the 20 year return on investment according to PayScale is -$97,900, so it doesn’t necessarily make sense.

Claflin University

Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina has a student population of just about 2000. Claflin gave the first diplomas to black women in 1884, to students Alice Moorer and Annie Thortne. Unfortunately, with an average cost of $128,000 for a four year degree and an ROI of -$133,900, the school has room for improvement these days.

Benedict College

Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina was founded back in 1870, and at first it was a teacher’s college. There are about 2000 students who attend this college, and the cost of a four year degree here is $124,000. However, with a graduation rate of 22% and a 20 year ROI of -$76,800, you should consider your options.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University in Kentucky is located right by man-made reservoir Green Lake. The campus is beautiful and scenic and even has a satellite campus in Hodgenville. The school is known for its colleges of music, art, and education, which might explain why the 20 year ROI is -$76,800. With a four year degree costing about $143,000, that is a serious undertaking.

Talladega College

Talladega College in Alabama was first established in a structure that was intended to be a Baptist academy, however, it was then bought by a governor who founded the university. The Talladega College Tornado Marching Band is renowned, and even competes nationally. A four year degree here costs about $88,200 and with a 20 year ROI of -$156,900, it is certainly not a good investment financially.

Miles College

Miles College can be found in Fairfield, Alabama, Although in January 2020 Charles Barkley donated $1 million to the college, it still has a long way to go, as it has one of the worst ROIs in the country. First off, its graduation rate is only 17%, and with a degree costing $90,200 and a 20 year ROI of -$164,600, you should really weigh your options.

University of Montevallo

University of Montevallo in Alabama is a public liberal arts college that does rank high on the U.S. News & World Report list of public schools, not to mention its campus is very pretty. However, with a four year degree costing students $143,000, the 20 year ROI of -$64,100 might not be with it after all.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha is a public school with one of the better in-state tuitions of $6000 per year. However, out of state students must pay a staggering $99,700. With a 20 year ROI of -$65,500, it certainly doesn’t seem worth it to be an out of state student here.

Morris College

Morris College can be found in Sumter, South Carolina. Sumter has a population of about 40,000 people, most of which the college students. A four year degree here costs about $92,200, but the 20 year ROI of -$106,800 means that it is perhaps not the best investment for your future.

The University of Montana Western

The University of Montana Western has a gorgeous campus with impressive architecture. Founded as a teachers college, it eventually was integrated into the Montana University system. About 1500 students attend the school, with a 46% graduation rate, which is not great. A four year degree costs students $109,0o0, but the 20 year ROI is -$71,400.

Maine College of Art

Maine College of Art draws in art students from all over New England. A four year degree has a price tag of about $184,00, which is a lot considering that the 20 year ROI is -$163,600. Becoming an artist is a passion for many, but they should know that the numbers indicate that it will be tough to make a living.

Brewton-Parker College

Brewton-Parker College located in Mount Vernon, Georgia has a student population of 1120, which is about half the population of Mount Vernon itself. With a 20 year ROI of -$92,200 and a graduation rate of just 17%, the $113,000 price tag for a four year degree here hardly seems worth the investment.

University of South Carolina Aiken

The University of South Carolina in Aiken, South Carolina is part of the overall University of South Carolina system. It is the fastest growing of the USCs, and it is a great deal for in-state students. However, out of state students should expect to pay $130,000 to attend, and the 20 year ROI of -$66,000 should be kept in mind.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

As expected, art is not one of the most high paying professions, which explains why the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s price tag of $155,200 may not be worth it, considering the 30 year ROI is a whopping -$228,000.

Valley Forge Christian College

Valley Forge Christian College is located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. At this Christian school, you’ll be expected to pay about $155,200 for a four year degree. With a 30 year ROI at -$178,000, that’s a steep price to pay.

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Once again we have an example of a university that is simply not worth it for out of state students. Students from outside of Maine who choose to study at University of Maine at Presque Isle will pay about $122,100. They should also expect a 30 year ROI of $-167,000.

Florida Memorial University

Florida Memorial University is located in Miami Gardens, Florida. While it is certainly not as well known as University of Miami nearby, the campus is just as idyllic. However, a four year degree here costs about $116,110, and the 30 year ROI is -$114,000, so you should consider if all that Miami sunshine is worth it.

Springfield College

Springfield College has a major claim to fame, as the birthplace of basketball and home of alum James Naismith who invented the game in 1891. Not too shabby! It’s also the birthplace of volleyball, with inventor William Morgan attending in 1894. However, a four year degree here nowadays costs $174,700 and its 30 year ROI is -$101,000, so unless you’re looking at a future NBA salary, it might not be so worth it.

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University is located in North Carolina. A four year degree here will cost students $113,400, while the 30 year ROI sits at -$82,600, it is quite the steep cost for a college degree.

Ozark Christian College

Ozark Christian College can be found in Joplin, Missouri. It is known for being affiliated with the Restoration Movement of Christian churches and aims to train students in biblical higher education. For those who are passionate about this area of study, a four year degree costs $78,000, but the 30 year ROI of -$76,200 should also be taken into consideration.

Meredith College

Meredith College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was originally founded as a women’s college but has since become co-ed. The college is known for its wonderful traditions. Tuition here is about $150,400 for a four year degree, but also consider the 30 year ROI of -$66,200.

Medaille College

Medaille College can be found in Buffalo, New York. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph as a Catholic teachers college for women in 1875, the private university became co-ed in 1967. Attending Medaille for four years costs $139,700, but its 30 year ROI is $-60,400.

Lakeland University

Lakeland University is located in Plymouth, Wisconsin. A four year degree here will set you back $132,400, and its 30 year ROI is not impressive at all, sitting at $-51,300, so think twice before investing your time and money.

East Texas Baptist University

East Texas Baptist University is a private school in Marshall, Texas that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. To attend, a four year degree costs about $114,900. However, the return on investment after 30 years is at $-37,600.

Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, South Dakota and has a student population of about 4000. Out of state students can expect to pay $84,170 for a four year degree, but should also consider the -$27,900 30 year ROI before ruling out their own in-state tuition.