Is going back to college worth it? ROI, salary outcomes, and value for working adults

For many working adults, it’s not about starting college. It’s about deciding whether going back to finish your degree is worth it.

For a lot of people, college didn’t go exactly as planned the first time. Nearly 40 million Americans have some college credit but no degree, a group often referred to as “some college, no credential.” Life happened. Finances got tight. Family responsibilities took priority. Sometimes it was the right goal at the wrong time.

But even as life moves forward, the idea of finishing doesn’t fully go away. The goal is often still there, just less defined. I want to finish my degree, but I don’t know how.  

Beyond the question of how you would finish, part of what makes it difficult to act is that the impact on your earnings and career trajectory can be significant, but it’s not always clear what that would look like in your own life. Will the investment in time, cost, and effort pay off?

What the data shows about finishing your degree and ROI

In this context, return on investment refers to how a degree translates into higher earnings, stronger job prospects, and long-term financial stability.

On average, adults with a bachelor’s degree earn about 65% more per week than those with some college but no degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They’re also significantly less likely to be unemployed.

Research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce shows that completing a bachelor’s degree can lead to hundreds of thousands more in lifetime earnings compared to not finishing.

That difference adds up over time, not just in income, but in stability and opportunity.

At the same time, not all degrees deliver the same return. Some students invest years and money without seeing meaningful gains. That makes the decision to go back even more complex and makes where you earn your degree just as important as whether you finish.

Not all colleges deliver the same return on investment; CSU Global ranks high

That same Georgetown study shows that while a bachelor’s degree can deliver strong long-term returns, outcomes vary widely by institution. At some colleges, more than half of students earn less than high school graduates, even 10 years after enrolling.

CSU Global provides one example of what return on investment can look like when programs are designed with career outcomes in mind. CSU Global ranks second among public universities in Colorado for bachelor’s degree return on investment, behind only the specialized Colorado School of Mines.

The results are consistent over time:

• A CSU Global bachelor’s degree delivers an estimated $298,000 return within 10 years
• That grows to $700,000 by year 15 and $1.1 million by year 20
• Over 40 years, graduates see an estimated $2.7 million return, more than double the average for public institutions

“When I see the strong return our programs offer, I’m proud but not surprised,” said Jerid Counterman, assistant vice president of student achievement and services. “CSU Global takes an intentional approach to what we offer, how we design courses, and how we support students. With a focus on career-connected learning, students are able to apply what they’re learning right away in their work.”

Recent ROI outcomes for CSU Global graduates: earnings, employment, and career progression 

The most recent survey data from Colorado State University Global, released earlier this year, offers a snapshot of outcomes for working adults who completed their programs in the past five years.

In its annual Learner Return on Investment survey, which includes responses from more than 1,000 recent completers, CSU Global found consistent evidence that finishing a degree is tied to measurable gains in both income and employment.

For graduates three to five years after completing their programs:

• $31,500 median annual salary increase for bachelor’s degree completers
• $39,000 median annual salary increase for graduate degree completers
• 89% of undergraduate and 92% of graduate completers are employed
• 71% of undergraduate and 74% of graduate completers report working in their field or a related field

These results reflect measurable gains in both earnings and career alignment within a relatively short timeframe after completion.

The survey also points to particularly strong returns in certain high-demand fields. Among programs with sufficient data, graduates in human resource management, accounting, and healthcare administration reported some of the largest income gains. Those who completed a B.S. in Human Resource Management saw a median annual income increase of 82%, while accounting graduates reported a 77% increase. For those who earned a Master of Healthcare Administration, median annual income rose by 76%.

How CSU Global works for working adults

Importantly, CSU Global alumni did not have to quit their jobs to earn the degrees that contributed to these salary increases. Courses are delivered 100% online, in 8-week terms, with monthly start dates. Students can take one class at a time or adjust their pace depending on what their schedule allows.

Returning undergraduate students typically transfer in more than 50 credits, helping shorten the path to completion. Enrollment counselors can also provide guidance on program outcomes, including which degrees are associated with higher post-graduation earnings.