AI Degree ROI Calculator
Find out how long it takes to recoup your tuition investment — and how much more you'll earn over a lifetime with an AI master's degree.
Your Inputs
Projected New Salary
$130,000
+$55,000/yr salary premium
Total Investment
Tuition + opportunity cost
$165,000
Break-Even Point
After graduation
3.0 years
20-Year Net Gain
After recovering all costs
$935,000
20-Year ROI
Return on investment
567%
💡 Verdict: Strong ROI — you'll recover your investment in 3.0 years and earn $935,000 more over 20 years.
How We Calculate ROI
Our ROI model compares the total cost of your degree (tuition + opportunity cost of lost income during study) against your projected salary increase over a 20-year career horizon. We use median salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and LinkedIn's 2025 Salary Insights Report.
Key Assumptions
- Salary grows at 3% annually (inflation-adjusted real growth)
- The salary premium for AI credentials compounds over time
- Opportunity cost is calculated at 80% of pre-degree salary during the program (assuming part-time work)