Baltimore, MD · Private University
Is Johns Hopkins University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$87,555
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$63,340
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$63,340
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$253,360
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
94.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$10,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,161
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Johns Hopkins University graduates earn $42,555 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Johns Hopkins University ranked by graduate earnings
49 graduates
26 graduates
46 graduates
60 graduates
36 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Johns Hopkins University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Johns Hopkins University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $140,666) and the lowest (Cognitive Science: $42,602) is $98,064/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $140,666 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $117,066 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $108,040 | 1.7x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $101,300 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $91,987 | 1.4x |
| Public Health | $77,335 | 1.2x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $72,053 | 1.1x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $54,995 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $49,035 | 0.8x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other(1yr data) | $46,455 | 0.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $46,330 | 0.7x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $43,609 | 0.7x |
| Cognitive ScienceLowest(1yr data) | $42,602 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
| Duke University | 1.49x | $97,800 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Johns Hopkins University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $87,555 10 years after starting — $42,555 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.