Philadelphia, PA · Private University
Is Temple University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,727
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$22,082
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$37,462
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$149,848
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.70x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
74.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,395
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,219
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Temple University graduates earn $18,727 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 Temple University ranked by graduate earnings
446 graduates
97 graduates
72 graduates
21 graduates
163 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Temple University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Temple University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $90,875) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $24,761) is $66,114/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $90,875 | 2.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $89,421 | 2.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $86,666 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics and Computer Science(1yr data) | $86,109 | 2.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,560 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,267 | 2.1x |
| Insurance | $78,623 | 2.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,796 | 2.0x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $72,240 | 1.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,603 | 1.9x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $70,478 | 1.9x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $69,195 | 1.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,291 | 1.8x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $66,841 | 1.8x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $65,982 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $63,224 | 1.7x |
| Economics | $61,989 | 1.6x |
| Chemistry | $60,963 | 1.6x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $60,765 | 1.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $60,375 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $59,912 | 1.6x |
| Real Estate | $58,991 | 1.6x |
| International Business | $58,397 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations(1yr data) | $58,307 | 1.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $57,777 | 1.5x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $57,737 | 1.5x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $54,832 | 1.5x |
| Mathematics | $54,614 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $54,415 | 1.4x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $53,863 | 1.4x |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics(1yr data) | $52,611 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,232 | 1.4x |
| Natural Sciences | $50,706 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,976 | 1.3x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $49,730 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $49,666 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $49,173 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,878 | 1.3x |
| Journalism | $48,161 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,803 | 1.3x |
| Public Health | $47,319 | 1.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,144 | 1.3x |
| Philosophy | $46,706 | 1.3x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $46,517 | 1.2x |
| Social Work | $46,307 | 1.2x |
| History | $45,870 | 1.2x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $45,785 | 1.2x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $45,329 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $43,997 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,703 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $43,604 | 1.2x |
| Sociology | $43,052 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $42,986 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $41,894 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,177 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $35,213 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $35,205 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,061 | 0.9x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $31,452 | 0.8x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $30,754 | 0.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $29,950 | 0.8x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $28,148 | 0.8x |
| Music | $27,886 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $24,761 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Temple University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,727 10 years after starting, $18,727 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.2 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.