Here are the 10 states with the highest ROI over five years:
ROI: 203 percent
ROI: 151 percent
ROI: 120 percent
ROI: 114 percent
ROI: 105 percent
ROI: 102 percent
ROI: 102 percent
ROI: 96 percent
ROI: 95 percent
ROI: 92 percent
“These findings show that a college degree is still a good bet that pays off,” Elyssa Kirkham, lead researcher on the study, tells Student Loan Hero. “A bachelor’s degree results in annual wages that are $19,356 higher, on average, and most college graduates break even on their investment within 3.7 years.
“But in the 10 states with the highest ROIs for a bachelor’s degree, the initial expense of college is low compared to the pay bump that usually follows graduation.”
Seven states have negative ROIs after five years. Among them are Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In Vermont, the lowest-ranked state, the average graduate is $75,000 in debt five years after graduation.
Overall, “whether your college degree pays off comes down to how well you limit your initial costs and debt and how much you maximize your earning potential after graduating,” says Kirkham.
“Fortunately, today’s college students are increasingly focused on minimizing college costs and debt. Knowing the ROI of a degree in their state can help college students make important decisions, such as whether to attend an in-state college or how much debt to take on.”
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