Carlow University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Carlow University charges a net price of $20,786/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $83,144. Graduates earn a median $51,051 ten years after entry, $2,691/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 30.9 years — a 20-year net return of -$29,324, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Carlow University's 30.9-year payback ranks #1,137 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 11% of them, and #105 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,786/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $83,144 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,051 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,691/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 30.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$29,324 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Carlow University's own numbers. Net price $20,786 × 4 years = $83,144 total. Median earnings $51,051 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,691 a year of premium. $83,144 ÷ $2,691 = 30.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$29,324. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Carlow University students graduate with?
A median $25,500 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $51,051 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Carlow University students graduate?
60% finish their degree — 40% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $83,144 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $138,573 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Carlow University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $20,786 net price runs $955 below the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, and $3,820 less across the full degree.